SunnyAugust, Accompanied by Scant Thunderstorms
In August 2022, Austria experienced an unusual weather pattern that made it feel more like a second vacation month, according to meteorological reports. The month was marked by high temperatures, reduced rainfall, and fewer lightning strikes, creating a unique climate across the country.
Ubimet, a leading weather forecasting service, reported no significant temperature fluctuations in August 2022, making it a relatively stable month weather-wise. However, there were notable variations in temperature across different regions. It was notably warmer from Vorarlberg to Carinthia, with deviations of up to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Feldkirch, Innsbruck, and Villach experienced higher temperatures, while South Burgenland reached a record high of 37 degrees Celsius.
The summer of 2022 was about 0.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term average (1991-2020) and had about 30% less rain nationwide. This was particularly evident in Eastern Austria, where rainfall amounts were lower than average, from Carinthia to the Waldviertel. Despite this, some local fronts caused record rainfall in certain areas, such as the Gesäuse, where 89 liters per square meter of rainfall was recorded in just 24 hours on August 21.
The summer of 2022 was not the only unusual weather event in recent memory. The summer of 2025 is among the 10 hottest on record, with the summer heat extending into August. The leader of the town in South Burgenland where the highest temperature of 37 degrees Celsius was measured in August 2025 was Emmerich Zax, mayor of Bildein.
Upper and Lower Austria, as well as North Burgenland, had a more balanced month in August 2022. However, the month was noteworthy for its reduced rainfall and lower number of lightning strikes. Ubimet reported a 70% decrease in lightning strikes compared to the average of previous years.
Despite the unusual weather patterns, August 2022 is likely to be remembered as a second vacation month due to the more consistent high-pressure weather system. As Austria continues to experience climate change, it is expected that such weather events will become more common in the future.
