Austria
benefits from a temperate Central European climate with four distinct seasons.
The climate in Austria
is extensively continental with the Eastern border of the country stretching
into the Pannonian climate zone. It is typical for Central Europe to have cold
winters; going down to minus 20°C during the night and hot and sunny summers;
reaching up to 35°C throughout some days in August.
The greater region of Austria
is situated in the cool and more temperate climate zone wherein humid westerly
winds prevail. With over half of the country dominated by the Alps the alpine climate is the most principal
temperature throughout the country. In the East, in the Pannonian Plain and
along the Danube
valley, the typical weather shows continental characteristics with a smaller
amount of rain than the alpine areas. Although Austria
is cold in the winter, in the summer areas surrounding the alps can still reach
comparatively warm temperatures up to 20°C to 27°C.
Alpine climate
The Alps separate Austria
from its two more content local climates, generating a cooler area than any
other of the region of the country. The alpine area in the West of the country
has in general a much harsher climate. The valleys of Tyrol,
are known for the “Föhn” winds. Typically these mild breezes can quickly boost
the temperature to a more pleasant climate. Rain is more common in the Alps and temperatures are lower. Due to altitude
and global positioning; the Austrian Alps are typically colder than the Western
Alps in Switzerland or France.
The Alps serve as a dividing line for Europe's three major kinds of weather systems
that influence Austrian weather. It has the greatest influence on the northern
slopes of the Alps, the Northern Alpine Foreland, and the Danube Valley.
The average temperature throughout this typical Austrian alpine climate
stands at 0°C or commonly below. The climate becomes colder at the height and
altitude elevates - this characteristic is described by the lapse rate of air:
air will tend to get colder as it rises, since it increases in capacity.
Continental climate
The north of the country has a distinctive
continental climate. Because clouds from Germany regularly get
caught in the airflow around the Alps, rain is more common in the north of the
mountains in Salzburg, upper Austria and the west of lower Austria. Salzburg
is famous for its “Schnürlregen”, stable and continuous rain that can go on for
days and days. The continental climate is characterized by low-pressure
fronts with precipitation in summer and high-pressure systems with cold and dry
air in winter.
Northern Austria
however tends to have very low annual rainfall because little atmospheric
moisture is available; and the temperature range can sometimes be very extreme
on an annual base. Maximum average summer temperatures for the north area of Austria
lingers around 20°C. During the winter there are several months when the
temperature remains below freezing point. Precipitation decreases rapidly
towards the north and also north-east. Annual rainfall averages 500 mm, and
there can often be a threat of drought. The ground is also snow-covered for a
number of months between October and April.
Mediterranean Climate
The region of the eastern parts of Lower
Austria, Vienna and
the Burgenland are influenced by the weather of southern Russia and Eastern Europe. This “Pannonian” climate is
considerably milder than the one in the mountains or Upper Austria and makes great weather for
raising wine and outdoor activities. This can also relate to a fourth region,
the area south of the Alps in Eastern Carinthia and Styria, where the weather is mild and the
summers are pleasurable; influenced by Mediterranean climate systems.
Vienna (located east), Graz (located south), Linz (located north) and Innsbruck (located west) are typical examples
of the extreme variance in climate throughout Austria.
Vienna
The typical
climate of Vienna
features mild summers and chilly winters, combined with rather placid and enjoyable
temperatures in both autumn and springtime
Graz
The Graz
climate is strongly influenced by the city's location. Located on the
south-eastern wall of the Alps and practicing warm weather all-year round,
visitors to Graz can anticipate warm summers that are not excessively hot. This
season is soon chased by cooler autumn and winter weather.
Linz
The climate of Linz
is described as mild and clement, with each season being relatively individual
and easy to recognise. Linz
is a particularly interesting city, with milder winters than many other
locations around Austria,
and warm summers.
Innsbruck
The moderate climate of Innsbruck features very distinctive seasons, which change
hastily and perceptibly. Winter weather in Innsbruck
is cold, with freezing nights and heavy periods of snow. However, when the city
hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964, there was in fact a rather unfortunate lack
of snow and the Austrian army ended up transporting ice and snow from the very
top of mountains.
The Four Seasons
Throughout the entire country itself; winters are often sunny but cold, with
frequent rain and snow, especially in the mountains. Summers are warm with
occasional showers and cool nights. On average, summer temperatures range
between 20°C and 35°C, while winter temperatures range between 1°C and 4°C.
On
the whole; even with its location in a largely mountainous region, Austria
has a temperate, continental climate, with an extensive variety of temperatures
due to differences in altitude as well as time of year. In general, the weather
is changeable and largely unpredictable all year-round.
back to top
