Hailstorms in Austria: First powerful heat thunderstorms with severe gale-force gusts expected
Well, the sky over Styria has really closed in, hasn't it? It was beautifully warm just a moment ago, almost summery – and now this: Dark clouds, the first flashes on the horizon, and then it starts hailing. Anyone caught outside probably made a dash for the nearest doorway pretty quickly. The first powerful heat thunderstorms are rolling across Austria, and the forecasts aren't looking good.
It's really let loose, especially around the Mürztal region. Locals know the drill: just wait until the shower passes. But when the hailstones get as big as marbles, you're definitely going to be checking out the window to see if the car's still in one piece. A mate of mine just got his convertible out of winter storage – reckon it'll be back in the garage for a while now. Farmers especially are on edge every time the sky looks like this. The fruit trees have only just finished flowering, and if heavy hail comes down, the whole season's harvest could be ruined. It's pretty gutting.
Meteorologists are now sounding the alarm for the rest of the day and into the night: it could get wild. Apart from Styria, parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland are also expected to be hit hard. The latest models show the storm cells building up more and more. Tell you what: if you're planning a hike now, best to turn back. Mountain peaks are often perfect lightning rods. And even down in the valley, you could be in trouble if you take shelter under a tree – just don't do it! Better to duck into a cafe for a bit and wait for the worst to pass.
Something that always fascinates me is our old farmers' sayings and the shorthand used in old weather diaries. You'd see things like:
- Hgl. for Hail
- Gew. for Thunderstorm
- Str. for Storm/Gale
- Wttl. for Heat lightning
- tr. for overcast/dull and h. for clear/fair
- Rg. for Rain, Sch. for Snow
- Nrg. for Drizzle, N. for Fog
- Frn. for Freezing fog and HN. for High fog/Stratus
Sounds complicated, but our grandfathers could read these signs to figure out what kind of summer was coming. These days we have weather apps on our phones for that – not quite as cosy, though.
It's also interesting how much people get into the weather. Saw a guy the other day proudly wearing a short-sleeve "Tornado Hail Weather Storm Enthusiast" t-shirt. A real weather nerd – but kinda cool that there are people who voluntarily get stuck into all this chaos. Or those funny British weather sweatshirts covered in symbols for rain, hail and storm. I mean, given the weather over there, you can understand it. Here in Austria, we could probably do with one too. And then there's the hardcore version for meteorologists: the "What the hail!" sweatshirt. Some people have a good sense of humour.
But jokes aside: if you love your car or have the BBQ out on the patio, better take precautions. There are things like the ORSEM LNB weather protection cover, which protects not just from rain, but also from hail, snow and ice. Sounds like a bit of a fuss, but if your car's bodywork ends up looking like a golf ball after a storm, you'll regret it. Just pop it over and you're set – the thing is UV-resistant and pretty tough. Same goes for plants and delicate cold frames: cover them up or bring them inside if you can do it quickly.
The next few hours are going to be interesting. The sky will keep clouding over, and fresh thunderstorms could roll in right through the night. So keep your eyes peeled, secure any loose items on balconies and patios, and if there's lightning: get inside, and don't worry about unplugging the landline (that's a bit of a myth, but lightning can still hit the wiring). And remember: after the storm, the sun usually comes out again – and then the air is so beautifully clear you can see all the way to the Alps. That's the reward for sticking it out.
Stay safe, everyone, and look after yourselves!