"Miserable forecast"

Weather crash! These events are now falling through

For some event-goers, this weekend will probably mean staying at home. The heavy rainfall has led to a number of cancellations.

(Bild: zVg)

The current weather storm in large parts of Austria has put the whole country on alert. Heavy rainfall is expected, with heavy snowfall in some higher regions. The change in the weather is also putting a spanner in the works for some events. This also affects the German Football League ...

The abrupt change in the weather from midsummer to lots of rain and plummeting temperatures has Austria firmly in its grip. On Thursday night, the first thunderstorms and strong gusts of wind swept through Austria. There was even snowfall in Tyrol, Salzburg and Styria.

The emergency services are also prepared for the coming days, as the storms will continue across the whole country until the weekend - the first road closures have already been set up.

Overview from east to west
The impending storms will affect events throughout Austria, including the Bundesliga. What you need to be prepared for in terms of weather in your region and which events are being canceled for safety reasons - an overview from east to west:

Events are being canceled across the country for safety reasons.

(Bild: zVg)

Wien und Burgenland

Continuous rain and small-scale flooding: As things stand, the focus of the rain will shift from the south to the east into the federal capital and Burgenland on Friday and over the weekend. Large amounts of rain, risk of flooding, disruptions to road and rail traffic, heavy gusts of wind: This is what we can expect until Sunday afternoon.

Vienna's professional rescue service is already prepared to take "various measures". 

The two-day MA 48 muck festival in Vienna at the weekend fell victim to the predicted rainfall, as did the medieval festival planned from Friday to Sunday at Neugebäude Palace in Simmering and the equally popular three-day Stadlauer Kirtag. The Vienna Electro Days, which have already begun, have also canceled their events for the weekend. 

All canceled events in Vienna and Burgenland

• Mistfest 2024 (W)
• Open air live concert by Nino from Vienna
• Event "War of the Stars" (W)
• Vienna Electro Days (W)
• Yoga Junkies Festival (W)
• Open day at Landaus (B)
• Women's run (B)

Niederösterreich 

The situation also remains tense in Lower Austria - experts are on high alert. "The current precipitation forecasts show 150 to 200 liters of rain per square meter by Monday morning, with a peak on Saturday," emphasizes Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP), the state vice-president responsible for the fire departments. Experts advise walkers to stay away from the banks of the Danube as far as possible.

Austria on alert: fire departments all over the country are filling sandbags.

(Bild: APA/MARKUS LEODOLTER)

The popular Carnuntum Roman Festival in the district of Bruck an der Leitha has already been canceled due to the weather, as have the "Hiabstla" in Scheibbs and the harbour festival in Korneuburg.

All canceled Lower Austrian events

• Carnuntum Roman Festival in the district of Bruck an der Leitha
• "Hiabstla" in Scheibbs
• Harbor festival in Korneuburg
• Tulln Wine Autumn
• Mobility festival in Neulengbach
• Wachau Marathon

Oberösterreich 

The same forecast also applies to Upper Austria. Winter conditions can be expected at times on higher traffic routes, while rainfall of 100 to 200 millimetres can be expected in the valley (one millimetre corresponds to one liter per square meter). 

"Forecasts do not allow for a festival"
Many event organizers reacted to the weather warning and cancelled their events due to the predicted flooding. For example, the Gmunden Old Town Festival was to be revived after an 18-year break, "but the miserable weather forecasts with heavy rain at the weekend simply do not allow for a festival," explains Mayor Stefan Krapf (ÖVP) - plans are already being made for 2025.

But even if many events are canceled altogether due to the "early winter weather forecast", some organizers are trying to find an alternative date. The planned Frühschoppen at Baumgartenberg will be postponed by a week to Sunday, September 22, and the "Street Food Market Austria" in Hörsching will take place from October 11 to 13 at Brucknerplatz instead. The organizers ask interested visitors for information on their website or on Facebook. 

All canceled Upper Austrian events

• Gmunden Old Town Festival
• Street Food Market Austria in Hörsching
• Alturfahr late summer festival
• Fire department wet competition
• Morning pint at Baumgartenberg
• Lakeventure at the Traunsee
• The Kids Aquathlon in Linz
• Soapbox race in Steyr
• Archaeology on the mountain 2024 in Hallstatt
• FM4 Unlimited Open Air in Steyr (partially canceled)

Steiermark

At altitudes between 1200 and 1400 meters, the rain in Styria turns to snow and the thermometer also shows a clear downward trend: only six to eleven degrees are expected at the weekend. 

Wintery mood from the Planai

(Bild: Planai/Walcher)

The situation is already critical in the Dachstein region. There was already fresh snow on the glacier on Wednesday, and the Planai and Hauser Kaibling were also covered in snow. Now that it is snowing down to 900 meters and there are strong winds, this can lead to increased snow breakage.

Rising temperatures may lead to flooding, especially along the Enns and Mürz rivers, and experts are also advising caution here.

"Aufsteirern" canceled
The popular folk festival "Aufsteirern" has been canceled, and the 950 km Admont anniversary run cannot take place as planned on September 12, but the celebrations have not been canceled altogether. The run has been postponed by one week to September 19.

Canceled Styria events

• Admont anniversary run
• Folk culture festival "Aufsteirern"

Kärnten

It also started to rain and snow heavily in Carinthia on Thursday night. The precipitation is expected to get heavier and heavier as the day progresses.

Higher alpine pastures "empty"
The weather situation also has an impact on agriculture: the cattle drive in Carinthia has started earlier than usual this year. As a preventive measure against possible flooding, the water levels of the large reservoirs along the Drau have been reduced since Wednesday.

Intense snowfall in higher regions of Carinthia

(Bild: Roland Holitzky)

Due to the forecast of intense precipitation, several events in Carinthia have been canceled. The after-work market at the Benediktinermarkt in Klagenfurt planned for Friday evening had to be canceled. The SPÖ family festival, which was to have taken place on Saturday in the eastern bay of Lake Wörthersee, has also been canceled.

All canceled Carinthia events

• After-work market at the Benediktinermarkt
• SPÖ family festival

Tirol, Salzburg und Vorarlberg 

Despite predicted rainfall, the situation in Tyrol, Salzburg and Tirol appeared to be relaxed on Thursday. A spokesperson for the province of Tyrol reported that the amount of rainfall has so far been moderate and the water levels have remained stable.

A farmer brings cattle in a tractor trailer from the alpine pastures to the valley of Matrei (Tyrol) due to the uncertain weather conditions.

(Bild: APA/EXPA/JOHANN GRODER)

The predicted heavy rainfall over Austria has led to the first road safety closures

(Bild: APA/EXPA/JOHANN GRODER)

A herd of cows on a pasture near the Glocknerstraße.l

(Bild: APA/EXPA/JFK)

Nevertheless, vigilance remains high: the authorities are in close contact with Geosphere Austria and the emergency services to closely monitor weather developments.

As the west is expected to be spared from the heavy rainfall, all planned events should still take place there. However, it is to be expected that the weather situation could also have an impact on planned festivals and events there, especially outdoor events.

Soccer Bundesliga on hold
There are also likely to be changes to the upcoming Bundesliga fixture list. Three games are scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. Whether they will be played as planned is still open, but the league is "in constant contact with the clubs and weather stations".

In any case, the two Friday games in the 2nd Football League between SKN St. Pölten against Admira and Rapid II against Amstetten have been canceled due to the pitch conditions and the continuing heavy rainfall in eastern Austria.