In 2021, the Austrian population was heavily affected by local, severe thunderstorms. Local thunderstorms are not only difficult to predict, they also frequently cause significant damage when combined with hail, storms, flooding, or mudslides. Flash floods in particular, triggered by local heavy rainfall events and capable of occurring away from bodies of water, pose a major challenge for those affected and emergency responders due to their difficult predictability and high damage potential.

The intensity and frequency of small-scale heavy precipitation events in Austria are on the rise in a warming climate. By the end of the 21st century, a further increase in severe, damage-causing thunderstorms in Austria is to be expected. This increase will be all the more pronounced, the more greenhouse gases are emitted...

The Climate Status Report 2021 and the Regional Climate Reviews provide a compilation of further resources (guidelines, fact sheets, research projects, etc.) on climate change adaptation and precautionary measures.

Press reports on the Climate Status Report 2021 can be found here!