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Austria faces the heat summer of the century: Dangerous records are looming!
Meteorologists warn of an extremely hot summer in Austria in 2025: temperatures over 40 degrees, drought and massive impacts on agriculture and infrastructure.
Austria faces the heat summer of the century: Dangerous records are looming!
Today is May 19, 2025, and meteorologists are warning of one of the hottest summers since weather records began in Austria. The forecasts point to heat waves, drought and new temperature records, not only in Austria but also in large parts of Europe. Loud vol.at This summer is called the “summer of the century” because intense high-pressure weather conditions can lead to rapid temperature increases as early as June.
A key factor in the expected heat is a stable area of high pressure, which acts as a “heat dome” over southeastern Europe and brings hot air masses to Austria. This could lead to the 40 degree mark being exceeded in several regions. A first heat wave in June is already in sight. The nights hardly cool down, which puts a considerable strain on the population and infrastructure.
Impact on water and agriculture
The ongoing drought also has an impact on agriculture. In Germany, for example, increasing drought is forcing farmers to use artificial irrigation, while spring 2025 is considered the driest period since records began in 1931. Loud Deutschlandfunk Drought monitors are reporting decreasing moisture in the upper soil layers, making the situation increasingly critical for many plants and crops.
This drought is part of a larger climate pattern that affects large parts of Europe. Eastern Europe in particular is suffering from extreme conditions, while the west still experienced a lot of rainfall in 2024 - one of the wettest years since 1950. This is also reflected in the reduced water levels in large rivers such as the Rhine. A changing water balance, with more rain in winter and less in summer, could have a negative impact on groundwater recharge.
urgency of the topic
The EU climate service Copernicus highlights in its latest report that 2024 was the hottest year on record and no continent is warming faster than Europe. Significant temperature differences can be observed, especially in the east and southeast of the continent. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in the Czech Republic, Poland and Spain, affecting more than 400,000 people. At least 335 people died as a result of these extreme weather events. ZDF points out that March 2024 was also the warmest March on record, underscoring the worrying climate trend.
In all of these developments there is a clear urgency to take action. BUND calls, among other things, for solutions to restore damaged habitats and strengthen biological diversity. The forecasts for the summer of 2025 suggest persistent heat waves until the end of August, especially in the eastern parts and cities of Austria. The challenges caused by climate change not only affect nature, but also the livelihoods of many communities.