Red alarm level: violent hail and floods in Austria!

Red alarm level: violent hail and floods in Austria!

On April 24, 2025, the weather in Austria led to considerable alarm levels due to extreme weather phenomena. In the eastern and southern parts of the country, the alarm level was declared red, such as Kosmo . Violent thunderstorms, hail and record rainfalls have led to floods, especially in the regions of Burgenland, Lower Austria and Styria, where the highest probability level was activated for storms.

in Hartberg, a city in Styria, were measured within one hour of high rainfall of 44 liters per square meter. This resulted in the fire brigade in the city of Keller and had to clear flooded streets. Public transport was also affected at short notice. In the event of heavy rain over 40 liters per square meter, the alarm level red and disaster protection measures are used.

weather warnings in Germany

parallel to the extreme weather conditions in Austria, the German weather service also warns of violent thunderstorms and heavy rain in Germany. According to T-Online are undefined downpours, stubborns and hagail practically to be expected in all of Germany. A low pressure area that shifts from England via East France brings mild, thunderous air to Germany.

From late Wednesday morning, the first thunderstorms are expected in Lower Saxony and Bremen, followed by heavy rain up to 35 liters per square meter. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, strong thunderstorms with locally over 25 liters of heavy rain can be expected in a few hours. Another deep over the Czech Republic will bring rain to the region on Thursday.

climate change and extreme weather events

The current extreme weather conditions may also be a result of the progressive climate change. According to a report by world weather organization (wmo) , the last ten years have been the warmest since the start of the recordings, with irreversible consequences that will be on hundreds to thousands of years. UN General Secretary António Guterres has urged to revise the climate plans of the states to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees.

climate change leads to rising temperatures, increased frequency of extreme weather events and a variety of social and economic challenges, including insurance damage and food instability. In 2024 there could be an increase in global average temperature of over 1.5 degrees above the pre -industrial level for the first time, which is considered a worrying trend.

The reports on the extreme weather events in Austria and Germany serve as a wake -up call and underline the urgency to take the effects of climate change seriously and to take suitable measures to ensure the security and well -being of the affected populations.