Only not in Vienna

Red warning level: heavy squalls are sweeping across the country

(Bild: APA/dpa/Boris Roessler (Symbolbild))

Gale-force gusts are currently causing severe weather throughout Austria. A red warning is currently in place in all federal states except the capital. Heavy rain showers are also causing unrest in Villach Land and Hermagor (Carinthia). In Tyrol, the provincial government has reiterated since Sunday afternoon that special caution should be exercised. 

Due to a strong southerly current, many valleys in Austria can still expect stormy foehn winds on Easter Sunday. As in the previous days, persistent warm air masses from North Africa and a very high concentration of Saharan dust will be directed in our direction at the end of the week. 

Gale-force gusts of up to 120 km/h
There is no all-clear in Tyrol either: the second-highest warning level in North Tyrol will remain in place until Monday morning. There will be gale-force gusts and wind speeds of 60 to 80 km/h. In typical Föhn valleys, the peaks are even around 100 km/h. Gusts of more than 120 km/h can be expected on the mountains. The fire departments have been called out more than 110 times since Friday, but so far no one has been injured.

In Carinthia, there are also heavy rain showers in the Hermagor and Villach Land area. According to the Austrian Severe Weather Center (uwz), a red warning level also applies here. "Red" warning levels due to the strong foehn wind also extend from the west to Vienna. Parts of Styria, Upper and Lower Austria and Burgenland are also affected. 

Foehn phase ends on Easter Monday
In the course of Easter Monday, a strong cold front will finally move across the country from west to east, bringing the long-lasting foehn phase to an end. In Vorarlberg as far as Upper Carinthia there will be frequent and locally heavy rain. In the afternoon, showers will also fall in the east, with lightning and thunder especially in Styria. Before that, the sun will still be shining here, and in the evening it will be occasionally visible in the west.

23 degrees possible again on Friday
According to the Geosphere Austria forecast, the rest of the week will be friendly and mild again after the aftermath of the front, especially in the east. Temperatures of up to 23 degrees are even possible again on Friday.