Leslie Massey
Austria has a continental climate, which means cold winters and warm summers. The highest temperature ever recorded in the country was 40.5°C (104.9°F) on 8 August 2013 in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, a town near the Slovakian border. This was part of a wider European heatwave that also affected Germany, France, the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Balkans. In this paragraph, we will explore the context of this record-breaking temperature and discuss the impact of the 2013 heatwave on Austria and its neighbours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Highest temperature | 35°C (95°F) |
| Month with the highest temperature | July |
| Average annual temperature | 9.2°C after 1951; 11.2°C before 2023 |
| Average temperature in lowlands and hilly eastern regions | 30°F (-1°C) in January; 68°F (20°C) in July |
| Average temperature in regions above 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) | 12°F (-11°C) in January; 36°F (2°C) in July |
| Driest regions | Near Wien (Vienna) |
| Humidity | Higher in the west; lower in the east |
| Average monthly rainfall in the Alps | 2000 mm per year |
| Average monthly rainfall in flatlands | 600 mm per year |
| Coldest month | January |
| Coldest day in the last 76 years | -18.0°C in February 2021 (Feuerkogel weather station at 1,620 meters above sea level) |
| Coldest winter (December to February) | 1963 with an average temperature of -3.6°C |
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What You'll Learn
The highest temperature ever recorded in Austria was 40.5°C in 2013
Austria experiences a varied climate due to its geographical features, including numerous valleys and lakes at varying altitudes, the Alps, and the lowlands in the east. The western part of the country is influenced by the ocean, resulting in a predominantly humid and cool climate. In contrast, the eastern region, including the Vienna Basin, has a more continental climate with less precipitation.
Summers in Austria can be hot, with temperatures occasionally surpassing 30°C and reaching a maximum of about 35°C in July. The tourist season typically peaks between June and August, attracting visitors to the mountains. May is also a popular month for skiing due to mild temperatures and sufficient snow cover.
The coldest month in Austria is usually January, with temperatures in the Alpine regions sometimes dropping below -17.8°C. The winter snow cover can last from late December through March in the valleys and even longer at higher altitudes. February brings slightly milder weather, marking the start of the ski season in some regions.
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The previous record was 39.7°C in 1983
Austria experiences a varied climate due to its geographical features, including numerous valleys and lakes at different altitudes, the Alps, and the lowlands in the east. The western part of the country, north of the Alpine ridge, is influenced by the ocean and is predominantly cool and humid. The eastern region, including the Vienna Basin, is separated from the Alps by the Carpathians, resulting in a more continental climate with less precipitation.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Austria was 41.5°C in August 2023. This record-breaking temperature was likely influenced by the natural diversity and varied climate of the country. This temperature was recorded nearly 40 years after the previous record of 39.7°C, which occurred in 1983.
The average annual temperature in Austria has been increasing over the years, with a notable rise of about 2.0°C in less than 73 years, as observed at two weather stations. This trend indicates the impact of global warming and climate change.
Summers in Austria can be hot, with temperatures occasionally surpassing 30°C (86°F) and reaching as high as 35°C (95°F) in July. The peak summer season extends from June to August, attracting tourists to the mountains and cooler regions. However, summer evenings are usually cooler, providing a respite from the heat.
The climate in Austria can be classified as Cfb, characterized by a warm, temperate, and humid climate. The warmest month typically has temperatures below 22°C (72°F), while there are at least four months with average temperatures exceeding 10°C (50°F).
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Austria's average annual temperature has increased by 2°C since 1951
Austria's annual average temperature has increased by 2°C since 1951, and temperatures are rising faster in Austria than in other parts of the world. This is partly due to its landlocked position, and possibly the northwards movement of the subtropical high. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NOA) has also been linked to the increased temperatures in the Alps.
In the 73 years between 1951 and 2023, the average annual temperature in Austria rose from 9.2°C to 11.2°C. This data comes from two weather stations in the country (Wien and Graz) which have reported continuous temperature values since 1951. The hottest month in this period was August 1992, with an average temperature of 23.6°C, while the coldest was February 1956, with an average temperature of -8.5°C.
Austria's climate varies due to its natural diversity, with numerous climate gradations even within the country. The western part of the country, north of the Alpine ridge, is influenced by the oceans and is predominantly humid and cool. The eastern region, including the Vienna Basin, is more continental and dry, with less precipitation. In the lowlands and hilly eastern regions, the median temperature ranges from about -1°C in January to 20°C in July.
The Feuerkogel weather station, located at an altitude of 1,620 meters above sea level, recorded the coldest day in 76 years in February 2021, when the temperature dropped to -18.0°C. The coldest winter (December to February) on record was in 1963, with an average temperature of -3.6°C.
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The country experiences varied weather due to its natural diversity
Austria's highest temperature is around 35°C or 95°F in July, although it can vary. The country experiences a varied climate due to its natural diversity, with numerous valleys, lakes, and mountains at different altitudes. The western part of the country, north of the Alpine ridge, is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in a predominantly humid and cool climate. The region has an Atlantic climate with a yearly rainfall of about 40 inches (1,000 mm).
The eastern region of Austria, including Vienna, has a more continental climate with noticeably less precipitation. The lowlands and hilly eastern regions experience a median temperature range of about -1°C (30°F) in January to 20°C (68°F) in July. The temperature varies with altitude, and at 3,000 meters above sea level, the temperature range is between -11°C (12°F) in January and 2°C (36°F) in July.
The Alpine regions experience harsh winters, with temperatures dropping below -17.8°C (0°F) in January. Even in the valleys and plains, average low temperatures often fall below freezing. The capital, Vienna, located in the east, typically has milder winters than the Alpine regions. February brings slightly warmer weather to the country, with temperatures rising above freezing.
Summers in Austria can be hot, with temperatures occasionally surpassing 30°C (86°F) and reaching a maximum of about 35°C (95°F) in July. Summer evenings, however, are usually cool. The peak tourist season is from June to August, attracting visitors to the mountains. May is also a good month for ski holidays, as temperatures are mild, but there is still ample snow on the ground.
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Austria's coldest-ever temperature was −52.6°C in 1932
Austria experiences a varied climate due to its geographical features, with the Alps and lowlands in the east creating unpredictable weather patterns. The country's highest mountain, Grossglockner, rises to 3,797 metres (12,457 ft) above sea level, and its high-altitude regions can experience dramatic weather changes.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Austria was an astonishing −52.6°C in 1932. This extreme temperature is a stark contrast to the country's generally mild winters and warm summers. The diverse topography and climatic conditions in Austria result in a versatile flora and fauna, with two-thirds of the country covered in woods and meadows.
The temperature in Austria typically depends on altitude, with averages of 5 degrees Celsius lower for each additional 300 metres of elevation. The Feuerkogel weather station, located at an altitude of 1,620 metres, recorded a recent low of −18.0°C in February 2021. This temperature is significantly higher than the record-breaking low of −52.6°C in 1932, highlighting the impact of altitude on temperature variations.
While Austria's climate generally features mild winters, the month of February 1956 stood out as the coldest in recent memory, with an average temperature of −8.5°C. This period was notably colder than the usual winter temperatures, and it serves as a reminder that occasional extreme weather can disrupt the otherwise temperate climate that characterises Austrian winters.
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Frequently asked questions
The highest temperature ever recorded in Austria was 40.5°C (104.9°F) on 8 August 2013 in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg.
The average annual temperature in Austria was about 9.2°C in the years after 1951 and about 11.2°C in the last years before 2023.
In most of Central Europe, temperatures are usually highest in July and lowest in January. In the high mountains, this period shifts by one month to August or February.
