2006 was a wonderful time for bathing enthusiasts: at that time, popular lakes such as the Obertrümmer See (Flachgau) or the Zeller See in Pinzgau were actually pleasant – two degrees warmer than this year.
“The current water temperature is seasonal,” says the hard humorer of the country’s hydrographic service. So everything is in green – despite weeks of ongoing heat waves and periods of drought that are reminiscent of the Sahel region’s description.
In contrast, the lakes are much cooler, as shown by the five-year comparison. For example, Lake Fuschl, whose water temperature has reached an average temperature of 21 degrees from June to August since 2018, has barely been able to do so this season. The lake remained cold.
This summer’s temperature record is also not a real record: on July 11 the water temperature at the Mattsee in Flachgau was measured at 27.8 degrees. Two years ago the lake warmed up to 29.8 degrees.
But what is the reason for this when, according to scathing reports, huge lakes such as Lake Neusiedl, Lake Garda or, more recently, Lake Maggiore are literally evaporating from the extreme heat as the crow flies a few hundred kilometers away?
According to experts, this was only due to regular cooling periods and cool nights. By the way, there will be an increase in them from this weekend. Recommendation: Take advantage of the last few days at the lake – before the water gets ice cold.
By the way: the situation is somewhat different in the so-called “steppenny” Lake Neusiedl. In the middle of summer it can warm up to 27 degrees, currently the water temperature is 26 degrees. In 2022 and 2023 the situation was more or less reversed in the two halves of August.
Last year the lake warmed between 23 and 25 degrees in the first half of August, and between 22 and 23 degrees in the second half. Till August 15 this year, it was only between 18 to 22 degrees, but in the second half of the month it was 22 to 26 degrees. Everything is within normal limits, and: Traditionally, Lake Neusiedl cools down quickly.
