The summer of 2026 was the hottest and driest in recorded history, according to GeoSphere. Austria received 32 percent less precipitation than the long-term average, following a dry winter and spring. This deficit impacted the entire federal territory.
Environment Minister reported that the lack of rain severely affected flowing waters and groundwater. By late August, discharge rates at 95 percent of gauges were below average, while 90 percent of stations showed low groundwater levels.
The drought caused historic damage to Austrian agriculture, impacting all federal states and every crop type. The eastern region was particularly hard hit as groundwater levels continued to decline from May through August, creating a national crisis.