Heatwave in Austria from mid-week: up to 35 degrees expected in cities

On Tuesday, warmer air moves in at altitude, as Geosphere Austria explained: "In der Höhe komme dann wärmere Luft ins Spiel, die sich in den Niederungen mit Bewölkung bemerkbar mache". The daily highs reach around 24 degrees, the early temperatures ten to 17 degrees. The maximum temperatures on Tuesday therefore remain moderate, but herald the change.

High summer from Wednesday

From Wednesday, the high-summer weather period sets in, according to ZAMG meteorologist Alexander Ohms. "Ab Mittwoch kommt hochsommerliches und sehr heißes Wetter auf uns zu", said Ohms. The early temperatures reach 15 to 22 degrees, the daily maximum temperatures rise to 30 degrees and more. As the weather service summarized: "Ab Wochenmitte bringt Hitzewelle Badewetter und viel Sonne".

Over the course of the week, the heat load intensifies. Already on Thursday, 33 degrees are widely expected, with early temperatures between 13 and 21 degrees. On Friday, values in urban areas climb to up to 35 degrees; in lower-lying areas, 26 to 33 degrees are possible. The maximum temperatures are thus significantly above the long-term June averages.

Up to 35 degrees on Friday

Local heat thunderstorms can only briefly relieve the heat in the coming days. As Ohms explained, the end of the heat phase depends on whether thunderstorms provide cooling. Without these mitigating precipitation events, the heat load is likely to be particularly high in densely populated regions.

At the same time, the French weather service Météo-France expects a possible heatwave in France this week. The explanation of a French meteorologist, according to which the nights are short and the nighttime temperatures only drop slightly – "Les nuits sont courtes, ce qui limite la baisse nocturne des températures" – applies analogously to Austria, where the summer nights around the solstice also bring only little cooling. In France, temperatures could widely reach 36 to 38 degrees, in places even up to 40 degrees.

Heat thunderstorms as possible relief

The temperature jump within a few days is remarkable: from maximum values around 22 degrees on Monday to 35 degrees on Friday in the cities. Geosphere Austria recommends drinking enough fluids, avoiding physical exertion during the midday hours, and ventilating rooms well. Older people and children in particular are considered heat-sensitive.

For the course of the week, meteorologists initially expect stable high-pressure influence, before increasing cumulus clouds and local heat thunderstorms develop towards the end of the week. These thunderstorms are typical for high-summer conditions, but could provide localized relief, as stated by Geosphere Austria.

Overall, Austria is heading towards one of the first high-summer heatwave periods of the year 2026. The combination of lengthening days, high temperatures, and only brief nighttime cooling reinforces the perceived strain, according to the meteorologists. "Mais ce sont des températures très chaudes, bien au-dessus des normales de saison", the French weather service had described the situation for its country – an assessment that applies in a similar form to Austria.