Upper Austria records extreme heat and drought during summer 2026

The summer of 2026 in Austria was characterized by extreme heat and significant drought. Official data indicates that temperatures in Upper Austria were 2.8 degrees Celsius above the long-term average from 1991 to 2020.

In Linz, 44 heat days and 20 tropical nights were recorded, while Weyer reached a peak temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius. Precipitation levels across Upper Austria were 43 percent below the long-term average, leading to dried-up streams and low water levels in the Traun and Danube rivers.

Stefan Kaineder, the provincial councillor for environment and climate, described the conditions as a ‘new normal state.’ While the extreme weather includes events like a tornado in Eferding, experts note the importance of distinguishing between individual weather events and long-term climate trends.