There has been a temporary break in the drought in eastern Austria in the past few days, with more rainfall than usual for this time of year. Some regions even experienced new highs for April. The fire brigades were especially busy in Upper and Lower Austria.
The “Rudolf” low brought significant amounts of precipitation and heavy snowfall across Austria in the last three days, with record-breaking amounts falling regionally within 48 hours for this time of year. In Vienna, more rain fell in two days (58 liters per square meter) than on the rainiest April day in 1965. The water level of the Wien River rose to 116 centimeters, which was last seen in July 2021.
Gumpoldskirchen in Lower Austria experienced the most rainfall (109 liters per square meter) since Thursday, the sixth strongest event since measurements began in 1948, while Eisenstadt had the tenth strongest rainfall since 1936.
Dozens of fire brigades were in action due to the rain and fresh snow, dealing with flooded cellars and fallen trees. The districts of Amstetten, Melk, and Baden were particularly affected in Lower Austria, with the fire brigade responding over 200 times. The Melk reached a water level of 458 centimeters, an event that occurs every five to ten years.
Although the rainfall event was significant, it cannot compensate for months of drought, and it would take 4-5 more such events to reach the mean water level. In the past few days, the snow line has been in the lowlands, with up to 30 centimeters of fresh snow in some areas.
The drought in April has taken a temporary break in the past few days: in eastern Austria there has been more rainfall in the last three days than usual at this time of year. In some regions there were also new highs for April. The fire brigades were in constant use, especially in Upper and Lower Austria.
AUSTRIA. The “Rudolf” low has brought large amounts of precipitation across the country in the last three days, and heavy snowfall has also fallen in the west. Regionally, record-breaking amounts fell within 48 hours for this time of year.
beautiful #Saturday! The great #Regen is also almost over in the north of the country, regionally record-breaking amounts fell within 48 hours for this time of year. Here is an impressive animation of the powerful low #RUDOLF from Thursday to today at 9 a.m. CEST (EUMETSAT). https://t.co/jeAeXgwVrupic.twitter.com/0aSavFBhX7
— uwz.at (@uwz_at) April 15, 2023
In Vienna, especially in the western districts, more rain fell at 58 liters per square meter than on the rainiest April day in 1965. This means that it rained more in Vienna within two days than it normally does in the entire month of April. In Vienna, the water level of the Wien River rose to 116 centimeters. This was last the case in July 2021.
In Gumpoldskirchen – the Lower Austrian town was the leader in terms of rainfall – it was 109 liters per square meter (as of Saturday noon) that has fallen since Thursday, the sixth strongest 48-hour event since measurements began in 1948, in Eisenstadt the tenth strongest since 1936.
Dozens of fire brigades in action
In the eastern half of Austria, there were numerous fire brigade operations due to the rain and fresh snow, during which flooded cellars had to be pumped out or fallen trees had to be removed. Upper Austria was also affected by the heavy rainfall – there was a landslide in Pergkirchen – more about that here.
In Lower Austria, the districts of Amstetten, Melk and Baden were particularly affected. In the federal state, the fire brigade responded more than 200 times. The fire brigade was also in constant use in some areas of Upper Austria. Numerous streams and rivers burst their banks in both federal states. The Melk reached a water level of 458 centimeters in Matzleinsdorf in Lower Austria on Saturday morning. An event that occurs every five to ten years. Lake Neusiedl rose by around six centimeters due to the amount of rain.
The rainfall event was good and important, but cannot compensate for months of drought.
After all, the water level has risen by a good 8 cm (graphic), to reach the mean water level, it would take 4-5 more such events. pic.twitter.com/zq91UJB94J— wetterblog.at (@wetterblogAT) April 15, 2023
Up to 30 centimeters of fresh snow in the lowlands
In the past few days, the snow line has been partly in the lowlands. It was already snowing in the Klagenfurt Basin on Thursday. In Dellach in the Drautal there was temporarily nine centimeters of snow, in Kornat in the Lesach Valley even 30 centimeters. On Friday, the southern Mostviertel and the Vienna Woods were particularly affected.
Flood action for fire brigades in the district of Amstetten
Fire brigades of the Baden district in action
The Lower Austrian fire brigades have been in continuous use for hours
2023-04-15 20:36:06
#Heavy #rainfall #eastern #Austria #snow #lowlands