In the coming days, Austria is facing tough times again. Weather forecasts are increasingly indicating massive flooding. As of now, the amount of rain expected could equal three months’ worth of precipitation falling in just three days, with some regions set to be severely flooded.
“Mainly affected: Salzburg to Vienna. Here, a massive flood threat looms,” warns ORF meteorologist Daniel Schrott. The severe weather warning center specifies the forecasts: “The highest amounts of rain are expected, from today’s perspective, in the eastern Northern Alps from the Karwendel through the Salzkammergut to the Vienna Woods, where certainly 150-200 l/m² could occur within 4 days. Some models even indicate amounts of around 250 l/m² from the Mariazellerland to the Vienna Woods. However, from the Waldviertel through the eastern flatlands, including Vienna, to the Wechsel, rainfall amounts between 100 and 150 l/m² are expected, locally up to about 200 l/m² are within reach.”
And they add to illustrate the scale: “To put such amounts into perspective: In Vienna, an average total (!) September sees about 65 l/m² of rain, in Mariazell 120 l/m², and even in Bad Aussee ‘only’ 140 l/m². So, we are potentially talking about twice the total monthly amount of rain in just a few days!”