Climate Austria
At the crossroads between the oceanic climate of Western Europe and the continental climate of Central Europe, the country has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter, with very different temperatures and weather conditions. Austria's climate is also strongly influenced by the terrain. You will not have the same temperatures or the same sunshine if you are in Vienna or perched at an altitude of 2,000 m in a winter sports resort in the Tyrol, for example. Some Austrian regions are famous for their record number of sunny days, including Carinthia, the country's most southerly state. Burgenland is also known for its mild climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Global warming is affecting Austria, like other countries. However, snow still falls abundantly on the heights.
Austrian climate, alpine climate
Thus, there is no homogeneous climate in Austria, which is marked by a very pronounced relief. This country, of which the Alps occupy two thirds of the surface, ranges from its lowest point, 114 m in altitude in Burgenland, to its highest point, the Grossglockner (3,797 m), which is shared between Carinthia and East Tyrol. Overall, however, the climate is temperate and rather cold and humid. Nevertheless, it is subject to two major, contradictory influences. The north and west of the country are particularly influenced by the ocean and are therefore exposed to rainy winds. In contrast, eastern Austria has a continental Pannonian climate, i.e. dry, hot summers and cool winters, although the effect of Mediterranean depressions is also felt, particularly in the Dolomites. The Mediterranean influences south of the Alps, in Carinthia, Styria, East Tyrol and as far as the Vienna region, warm the overall climate and provide sunshine that is suitable for vine growing.
The climate in Austria therefore varies from region to region, always changing according to the altitude and the orientation of the valleys. The Alpine regions are influenced by the Alpine climate, which is rich in precipitation, with short summers and cool evenings. As you go up in altitude, you first encounter a subarctic and tundra climate, and then a downright polar climate when you reach certain summits.Four major climatic regions
The Alpine ridge acts as a climatic barrier, but it is not the only one. The sunny foehn valleys, such as the Inn valley, contrast with the misty plains of the Klagenfurt basin, and the rainy hillsides (Bregenzerwald) with the dry valleys of the inner Alps, especially the Ötztal.
To summarize and simplify, there are four main climatic zones in Austria. The eastern plain is subject to continental influences. The Alpine region is subject to the vagaries of the Alpine climate: heavy rainfall (often after a sunny day, so don't forget your raincoat), short summers and cool evenings. The country has a particular wind: the foehn, hot and dry, which is said to drive people crazy. The rest of the country has a transitional climate, both temperate and humid, typical of central Europe; southern Austria has a Mediterranean climate. Carinthia, apart from its high mountains, is the warmest and sunniest region in the country. Another characteristic is that precipitation decreases significantly from west to east and increases with altitude. In the mountains, the weather can change very quickly and it is always best to bring sweaters, down jackets and/or rain gear.
