Storms disrupt Styria after near-record spring drought brings relief
Styria has faced a series of heavy storms over the past week, disrupting events and bringing much-needed rain. The unstable weather follows a near-record spring drought, with more wet conditions expected as another cold front approaches. The storms began on Thursday when a short but violent thunderstorm hit Graz. By Saturday afternoon, intense downpours struck the city again, spreading to the region south of the provincial capital and the Wechsel area. The bad weather even interrupted the 'Emergency Services Day' event in Spielberg for a time.
More thunderstorms are set to arrive from the west on Monday, sweeping across Austria by evening. Tuesday will start with showers before sunshine returns in the afternoon, though temperatures will drop, reaching only 9°C to 19°C. A fresh rain front is then due on Wednesday, with unstable conditions likely lasting until the end of May.
The approaching cold front also raises concerns about ground frost in exposed valleys. This coincides with the traditional Ice Saints period from May 11 to 15, when late frosts often occur. Despite the recent storms, meteorologists at Ubimet note that May’s rainfall has helped ease the earlier drought. The latest storms have brought relief after a dry spring, but further unsettled weather is on the way. Residents should prepare for cooler temperatures, more rain, and possible frost in low-lying areas over the coming days.
