Cold Snap Returns to Austria Amidst Spring Sunshine

As spring showcases its charm with sunny skies and temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius, a sudden shift in weather is on the horizon for Austria. According to forecasts from the weather service Ubimet, a cold air mass is set to sweep across the country.

Friday is expected to remain pleasant with abundant sunshine and temperatures ranging between 15 and 20 degrees. The weekend will also start off favorably, particularly in regions such as Carinthia and South Styria, where temperatures could rise to 23 degrees. However, as the day progresses, a noticeable drop in temperatures will begin in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria. By Sunday morning, the cold air will have spread across much of the country.

The drop in temperature will be significant, with regions east of Salzburg experiencing declines of 10 to 15 degrees. For example, Graz is predicted to see temperatures plummet from 22 degrees on Saturday to just 9 degrees on Sunday. In the western part of Austria, such as Bregenz, the temperature shift will be less severe, decreasing by about 8 degrees. Although the air will be cold, it is expected to remain dry, minimizing the chances of snowfall, except for the possibility of slight flurries in the eastern flatlands and a few centimeters of fresh snow in higher altitudes.

By Saturday night, temperatures are anticipated to drop below freezing in various regions, particularly from the Mühlviertel to the Weinviertel and in the southern Vienna Basin. The coldest temperatures will occur on Monday night, when most of the country, with few exceptions, is likely to experience sub-zero temperatures. Some alpine valleys, along with areas in the Mühlviertel and Upper Waldviertel, could see moderate frost, dipping to around minus five degrees.

This sudden cold snap poses a potential risk to blooming fruit trees, notably apricots, which are currently in blossom. Additionally, the weather may create challenging conditions for the Vienna City Marathon scheduled for Sunday, with temperatures projected to be just above freezing at the start and only slightly warming to a maximum of five degrees as the morning progresses.