Historic drought: Austria experiences extremely dry year
Austria is currently experiencing an extraordinary weather situation. Meteorologists report that in large parts of the country, it has not been this dry since 1850 as it has been in recent months. The eastern regions are particularly affected.
Between February 23 and August 9, 2026, a total of only 210.9 millimeters of precipitation fell in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland. This figure is significantly below the long-term average for this period. The persistent drought poses major challenges for agriculture and the water supply.
Experts are monitoring the situation closely, as the lack of rain is causing the soil to dry out severely. This has direct consequences for crop yields in the affected regions. The water levels of smaller rivers and lakes have also dropped noticeably due to the lack of precipitation.
Authorities continue to monitor the development closely. Whether the weather situation will ease in the coming weeks remains to be seen. For the population in the affected areas, the current situation means that a conscious approach to water resources remains particularly important in the coming weeks.