Austria faces worsening drought conditions and drivers are being warned of heavy summer traffic, plus more stories from Austria on Thursday.
Austria hit hard by deepening European drought
Austria is among the countries most affected by Europe’s current Dürre, or drought, according to Der Standard. Persistent heat and exceptionally low rainfall have sharply reduced groundwater levels and dried out agricultural soil.
Around 90 percent of Austria’s groundwater measuring stations recorded low or very low levels in mid-July. The largest deficits were in Upper Austria, Lower Austria, eastern Styria and Burgenland. Lake Neusiedl was 28 centimetres below its long-term average, while Lake Constance reached a record low for this time of year.
Climate models indicate that drought affecting agricultural soil is now around 11 times more likely in the region including Austria and Germany because of global warming. Widespread, sustained rainfall is not currently expected before the middle or end of August.
READ ALSO:Why Austria’s dry spring could affect farms, food and water this summer
18-year-old dies after fall on Innsbruck’s Nordkette
An 18-year-old Hungarian man died after falling in steep terrain on Innsbruck’s Nordkette on Wednesday afternoon, ORF Tirol reported. He was part of a group of 3 friends who lost their bearings near the 2,480-metre Kemacher mountain.
The group had set out from the Hungerburgbahn valley station at 6:30 am and continued from Seegrube at around 1 pm. They were using an outdoor navigation app, but it stopped working as they climbed through very steep terrain without a marked path.
The men turned back after reaching a small plateau at around 2,300 metres. During the descent, the 18-year-old fell between 150 and 200 metres. Emergency workers recovered his body and flew the other 2 men down to the valley.
READ ALSO:What risks Austria’s mountain rescue says hikers and skiers often underestimate
Far-right offences rise sharply in Tyrol
The number of recorded far-right offences in Tyrol has increased sharply since 2023, the Interior Ministry says. Authorities registered 64 such offences in 2023, 97 in 2024 and 113 in 2025.
Suspects are becoming younger, with some below the age of criminal responsibility, and more offences are taking place online. Numerous proceedings have been discontinued because the required intent under Austria’s Verbotsgesetz, which bans Nazi activity, couldn’t be established.
The presumption of innocence applies to all suspects. The Interior Ministry has been developing a national action plan against right-wing extremism since spring 2026, alongside prevention projects involving police, schools and civil society organisations.
READ ALSO:EXPLAINED: How dangerous is Austria’s growing right-wing extremist movement?
Holiday traffic expected to worsen across Austria
Austria’s motoring organisation ÖAMTC is warning that congestion will increase as the summer travel season approaches its peak. Routes towards the upper Adriatic are expected to be particularly busy, while return traffic is also becoming more noticeable.
Likely congestion points include the Tauern, Brenner, Karawanken, Pyhrn and Inntal motorways, as well as the Fernpass road. Delays are also expected near several Grenzübergänge, or border crossings, including Walserberg, Nickelsdorf, Suben, Spielfeld and Kufstein.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix near Budapest from July 24th to 26th is expected to increase traffic through Nickelsdorf, especially after Sunday’s race. The Bregenz Festival and the Ennstal Classic are also likely to cause local delays.
READ ALSO:What is Austria’s ‘traffic calendar’ and how can it help me save time?
Worth reading
Austria’s forest-fire restrictions are issued locally, meaning bans on barbecues, smoking and open flames can differ between districts. Our guide explains where grilling and open fires are currently restricted, including when private gardens may fall inside a forest’s Gefährdungsbereich, or danger zone.
Members get access to this and other practical guides, explainers and in-depth stories about everyday life in Austria.
What’s happening in Austria today
All local trains between Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof and Brenner are cancelled from today until August 1st. Replacement buses are running, while long-distance trains between Innsbruck and Bolzano are also suspended.
In Linz, tram lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be interrupted between the main station and the northern city centre from around 4 pm to 11:30 pm during the Pflasterspektakel. Replacement buses will operate and several bus routes will be diverted.
READ ALSO:How major rail works across Austria will impact passengers in 2026
Klagenfurt’s city council meets at 10 am to vote on the city’s delayed 2026 budget. Chancellor Christian Stocker will hold a public consultation with selected participants in Innsbruck at 5 pm.
Popfest begins at Vienna’s Karlsplatz today, while the Pflasterspektakel opens in Linz and the INN-Days start beside the River Inn in Innsbruck. The Bregenz Festival will also stage the premiere of The Excursions of Mr Brouček at 7:30 pm.
Morning showers are possible in several cities before brighter conditions develop. Afternoon temperatures across Austria are expected to reach between 23C and 29C.
Vocabulary
die Dürre – drought
die Nordkette – the mountain range north of Innsbruck
das Verbotsgesetz – Austria’s law banning Nazi activity
der Grenzübergang – border crossing
die Waldbrandverordnung – forest-fire regulation
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