Expert gives top tips – That’s why the Viennese suffer the most from the heat

“It’s too hot for me in this city, there’s too much white here, I can’t get enough of it. It’s too hot,” even superstar Falco once sang. That may have been forty years ago, but it’s getting hotter in Vienna. And it could get a lot worse.

It could soon be as hot in Vienna as in Skopje
A 2019 ETH Zurich study paints an extremely bleak picture. As Vienna is one of the most heat-sensitive cities in Europe, the heat here is much more noticeable and dangerous. The scientists assume that the average annual temperature will rise by 2.3 degrees in 2050. However, with an increase in the maximum temperature registered in the hottest month of the year of plus 7.6 (!) degrees, Vienna would be one of the best in Europe. Worldwide, 520 metropolises were surveyed. So it could be just as warm here in 2050 as in the North Macedonian capital Skopje. But that’s about a thousand miles south!

Urban areas are generally disproportionately affected by extreme temperatures and extreme heat episodes like just now. Little greenery, many streets and therefore a lot of concrete, little water – these typical urban structures cry out for overheating. With dramatic consequences: According to the Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), a third of all heat deaths in the state occur in Vienna.

Heat action plan exists
However, the city of Vienna only has a heat action plan since this year. “With measures to prevent overheating of the city and to cope with the heat in acute cases”. But how well is the city positioned?

The department of climate councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky (SPÖ) plays a particularly important role. “The heat issue is of great concern to us in the city, especially when it comes to vulnerable population groups such as the elderly and people who live in difficult socio-economic circumstances,” says his office. However, one of the new measures is still a long way off. heat or not.

Heat escape locations won’t be ready until next summer
So-called “cooling zones” are intended as a place to cool off. In freely accessible buildings in the city one should be able to spend a few hours in the coolness. Really. But these places still don’t exist! At the height of the heat, the stock analysis is just taking place. It is reported that the cooling locations should be ready by next summer at the earliest. So keep waiting and sweating.

Kachelmann’s tips against the heat
There are probably as many tips against the heat in your own four walls as there are average tropical nights a year in Vienna. Many of these are passed down from generation to generation. Its effectiveness is debatable. Someone who likes to do this, especially on Twitter, is the well-known meteorologist Jörg Kachelmann (born in Germany).

If it reads a wrong tip, there’s a thunderstorm. Kachelmann: “Unfortunately, many media follow wrong advice and drive people to death. This is especially dangerous for children and the elderly.” So we asked. So what really helps against the heat in your own four walls?

• You can’t hear all the things that sneaky drafts should do, stiff neck, flu and worse. As a result, many people stew in their own juice in the summer instead of enjoying the blessings of the wind.
• The air conditioner as a friend: turn on the air conditioner, if it has one. A well-maintained air conditioner will not make you sick. All air conditioning concerns are funny superstitions.
• The cooling breeze: buy a fan or several. Let her go. Nothing will happen to you. This applies to both standing and ceiling fans. If it’s particularly hot, put the fan right in front of grandma and grandpa.
• Let there be light: This also applies during the day. If you have windows in both directions, always open them all when you get home. Enjoy the pleasant breeze. It is the darkest superstition that windows should be closed as soon as it is warmer outside than inside. They produce a lot of moisture and carbon dioxide when the air is still. Anything is better than that, so: Darker yes, but sky.
• Fresh air: If all the windows are only in one direction, you are lost. Even open windows are of little use as there is hardly any air exchange unless you force it. Therefore, provide windows with mosquito nets and direct fans from the window into the room at night.