Hailstorm Alert for Austria: First Powerful Thunderstorms with Severe Gusts Expected
The sky over Styria has really clouded over. Just a moment ago, it was pleasantly warm, almost summery – and now this: Dark clouds, the first flashes on the horizon, and then it starts hailing. Anyone who was out and about probably quickly looked for the nearest shelter. The first powerful heat thunderstorms are rolling across Austria, and the forecasts don't look good.
It really let loose, especially in the Mürztal area. People there know the drill: just wait until the shower passes. But when the hailstones get as big as marbles, you start peeking out the window to check if your car is still in one piece. A buddy of mine just got his convertible out of winter storage – looks like it's heading back to the garage for now. Farmers, especially, get nervous every time the sky looks like this. The fruit trees have just bloomed, and if heavy hail comes down, the crop is ruined. It's just a tough break.
Meteorologists are now sounding the alarm for the rest of the day and tonight: It could get really wild. Besides Styria, parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland are also expected to be hit hard. The latest forecasts show the storm cells continuously building up. Take it from me: if you're planning a hike now, you'd better turn back. Mountain peaks are often the perfect lightning rods. And even down in the valley, you can get caught if you take shelter under a tree – just don't do it! Better to duck into a café for a bit and wait for the worst to pass.
Something that always fascinates me: Our old farmers' rules and the abbreviations they used to use in weather diaries. For example, you'd find entries like:
- H. for Hail
- T. for Thunderstorm
- S. for Storm
- L. for Lightning (distant)
- Dr. for Dreary and Cl. for Clear
- Rn. for Rain, Sn. for Snow
- Drz. for Drizzle, F. for Fog
- Fr. for Freezing Fog and HF. for High Fog
Sounds complicated, but our grandfathers could read exactly what kind of summer it would be from these signs. Today we have weather apps on our phones for that – but it's not quite as cozy, is it?
It's also interesting to see how much people are into the weather. The other day, I saw a guy proudly wearing a "Tornado Hail Weather Storm Enthusiast" short-sleeve T-shirt. A real weather nerd – but kind of cool that there are people who voluntarily geek out over 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 kind of understand it. Here in Austria, we could probably use one too. And then there's the hardcore version for meteorologists: The "What the Hail!" sweatshirt. Some people really have a sense of humor.
But seriously now: If you love your car or have your grill out on the patio, you should probably take precautions. There's stuff like the ORSEM LNB weather protective cover, which protects not just from rain, but also from hail, snow, and ice. Sounds like a lot of fuss at first, but after a storm, when your car's bodywork looks like a golf ball, you'll regret it a whole lot more. Just put the cover on and you're good – the thing is UV-resistant and can take a beating. The same goes for plants and sensitive cold frames: cover them up or bring them inside if you can do it quickly.
So, the next few hours are going to be eventful. The sky will keep clouding over, and new storms can keep rolling in through the night. So keep your eyes open, secure any loose items on balconies and patios, and when lightning strikes: head inside, and don't think about using a corded phone (that's a bit of a myth, but they can still get hit). 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 Alpine foothills. That's the reward for hanging in there.
Stay safe and take care, everyone!