Austria is set to experience stormy weather on Thursday, with strong gusts expected in many regions, according to a forecast by Geosphere Austria. Wind peaks of between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour are predicted for the west of Austria, as well as the federal states of Lower Austria and Vienna. Strong winds are also expected on Saturday.
Geosphere has issued a yellow warning level for parts of Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, and the state of Vienna. The meteorologists predict that wind peaks of between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour are likely to be experienced in these regions on Thursday. In the northern regions of Vorarlberg and Tyrol, the morning and early morning hours could be particularly stormy. However, the wind is expected to decrease significantly later in the afternoon, according to meteorologist Thomas Wostal.
Wind peaks of at least 70 kilometers per hour occur on average between five and 15 times a year, depending on the region, according to Geosphere. The last stronger storm in Austria occurred about a month ago, with peaks of up to 112 kilometers per hour at the Vienna Hohe Warte weather station, and up to 142 at the Feuerkogel in Upper Austria.
On Thursday morning, rain and sleet showers are expected on the north side of the Alps, while the south is likely to experience less rain. However, the afternoon is expected to see a decrease in the showers, with the sun appearing more often. Temperatures on Thursday will range from zero to seven degrees Celsius in the morning, with daily highs of twelve to 18 degrees Celsius, with the highest values being announced for the south-east.
The weather is expected to calm down temporarily on Friday, but the next rain and snow front will reach western Austria by the evening, accompanied by strong winds. On the night before Saturday and on Saturday itself, very windy to stormy conditions are likely in many regions, with a focus on the north and east of Austria.
The emergency services have already taken precautions for the storm. Jürgen Figerl from the Vienna professional fire brigade said, “We are prepared for all eventualities.” The situation is being closely monitored, but Figerl expressed confidence that they can cope with the weather event with the existing team.
While storms of this magnitude are not uncommon in Austria, they can still cause significant damage to infrastructure, property, and even human life. This is why it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your property during such events.
One of the most important things you can do is to stay informed about the weather forecast and any warnings that are issued by the relevant authorities. This will enable you to plan accordingly and take any necessary precautions, such as securing loose items outside your home and staying indoors during the worst of the storm.