30 degrees again

Styrians enjoy top bathing weather in the middle of April

On Friday, these ladies were already enjoying the glorious bathing weather at the Ankerpunkt beach in Tillmitsch near Leibnitz.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

For the second weekend in a row, spring in Styria is looking very summery: the next temperature record could fall on Sunday. Water rats and bathing beauties are already frolicking in many a lake. From next week, however, the early summer will be over again for the time being.

No, what we are currently experiencing in terms of weather is not normal. Last Sunday in Bruck an der Mur, the 30-degree mark was broken for the first time this year, making it the earliest hot day in Austria's recorded history. And the record is likely to be repeated this Sunday: "It will be 30 degrees again and maybe even more, with the hotspots being the regions between Bruck and Leoben and between Leibnitz and Bad Radkersburg," predicts Ubimet meteorologist Nikolas Zimmermann. On average, the thermometer in Styria usually reaches highs of between 15 and 19 degrees at this time of year, according to the weather expert based on long-term records. 

Bathing lakes are already well frequented
Whether it's normal or not, the Styrians are being driven out into the great outdoors by the glorious weather this weekend - and many are already taking a dip. The first outdoor pools may not open until mid-May at the earliest, but many Styrian bathing lakes are already bustling with activity. On Friday, for example, the first bathing beauties were already bustling around the anchor point at the Tillmitscher Schotterteichen near Leibnitz (see photo above).

You can cool off in the water at Stubenbergsee even before the official start of the bathing season (archive photo).

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

At the Stubenbergsee in eastern Styria and the Schwarzlsee near Graz, many water lovers are also venturing into the cold water before the official start of the swimming season. "Although this is unusual at this time of year, it is of course possible for those for whom the water is not too cold," says the municipality of Stubenberg. 

Outdoor pools need a lot of lead time
The outdoor pools would probably also be full this weekend, but they cannot be opened at such short notice. At the Fürstenfeld outdoor pool, for example, the largest pool in Austria, preparations are currently in full swing. "We have to completely drain, clean and repaint our concrete pool every year. That's two hectares," explains head pool attendant Andreas Rindler. All in all, it takes a good one and a half to two months until the pool is refilled with fresh water from the Lafnitz river flowing past. "But I already saw some people in the water there last week," smiles the pool attendant. 

There is still a lot of work to be done at the Fürstenfeld outdoor pool before the pools fill up again (archive photo).

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

For outdoor pools, however, the start would probably be premature anyway, as the weather will turn at the beginning of next week: "On Monday, a cold front will start to move into Upper Styria and temperatures will drop sharply again," says meteorologist Zimmermann. On Tuesday, it will rain all over the country, sometimes heavily. From today's perspective, it will remain relatively cool in the following days. 

Beware of sliding snow avalanches
While all signs point to summer in the lowlands, many alpinists are still enjoying the last ski tours at higher altitudes this weekend. Even if the situation in the Styrian mountains cannot be compared with Tyrol, where there have been several deaths in avalanches this week, caution is advised: "The main danger comes from spontaneous sliding snow avalanches", explains Lisa Pulling from the Styrian avalanche warning service. You should be particularly careful below steep, snow-covered slopes - this also applies to hikers at high altitudes.