The previous year was the second warmest year in Austria since measurements began in 1767 – in some parts of the west and south of the country it was even the warmest. The high temperatures and little snowfall in combination with strong radiation led to a massive retreat of the glaciers in 2022.
The average temperature for the whole of Austria of plus 8.1 degrees Celsius corresponds to a deviation of plus 2.3 degrees compared to the reference period 1961 to 1990. On the other hand, there was minus twelve percent precipitation. This also had an effect on the Neusiedlersee, among other things. In July 2022, the steppe lake recorded its lowest water level since 1965.
Glaciers lost an average of three meters of ice
The local glaciers lost an average of three meters of ice, which was about twice as much mass as the average over the past 30 years. The melting and thawing of permafrost led to numerous rock chips, rockfalls and mudslides.
Warmest October in the history of domestic measurements
Summer and fall were the fourth warmest seasons in the respective comparison series, October – in which a so-called tropical night was recorded for the first time – was reported as the warmest in domestic measurement history.
“The effects of the climate crisis are already clearly noticeable today. The report makes it clear once again that we need ambitious climate protection every year and at all levels,” said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler in the 2022 Climate Status Report, published Friday. This makes it clear once again “that we need ambitious climate protection every year and at all levels,” she says.
Neusiedler See with the lowest water level since 1965
While extremely heavy rainfall in mid-August flooded streets and buildings in the west, persistent drought in the east caused low levels of lakes and groundwater. The Neusiedlersee reached its lowest water level since 1965 and the Zicksee, which is also in Burgenland, dried up completely last year.
Source: Krone
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