Austria records hottest summer in 260 years

Austria has experienced its hottest summer since temperature records began 260 years ago.

According to the Austrian meteorological service, GeoSphere Austria, the average air temperature this summer was 2.6°C higher than the 1991–2020 climate average, and 4.4°C above the 1961–1990 average.

The agency reported new temperature records at more than 100 monitoring stations, noting that for the first time since records began, temperatures exceeded 41°C. Meanwhile, rainfall between June 1 and August 31 was nearly one-third lower than the annual average.

This summer ranks among the five driest summers since measurements began in 1858, a situation worsened by an exceptionally dry spring.

According to the agency, the first eight months of this year saw the lowest rainfall recorded in the country since the relevant series of measurements began 169 years ago.