climate

Very Dry February

Drier than most in February were the years 2011, 2003, and 1998.

February 2025 was extremely dry. The nationwide assessment shows a 66% reduction in rainfall compared to an average February. "Such a dry February occurs statistically every five to seven years," says climatologist Alexander Orlik from GeoSphere Austria. "For example, in the past 30 years, only three Februarys have been drier than this one—those in 2011, 2003, and 1998."

Very Little Fresh Snow Little precipitation also means little fresh snow. Below 1000 meters above sea level, February 2025 saw 87% less fresh snow compared to an average February. In areas between 1000 and 1500 meters, the snow deficit was 75%, and in areas above 1500 meters, it was 60%.

Snowfall Figures from Selected GeoSphere Austria Weather Stations:

  • Kufstein (T, 490 m): 0 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average February from 1991-2020: 45 cm, deviation -100%)
  • Deutschlandsberg (ST, 354 m): 7 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 24 cm, -71%)
  • Ramsau (ST, 1207 m): 30 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 82 cm, -63%)
  • Vienna (198 m): 0 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 14 cm, -100%)
  • Kanzelhöhe (K, 1520 m): 53 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 60 cm, -12%)
  • Klagenfurt (K, 450 m): 1 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 16 cm, -94%)
  • Tamsweg (S, 1025 m): 13 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 29 cm, -57%)
  • Sonnblick (S, 3109 m): 79 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 206 cm, -62%)
  • Feuerkogel (O, 1618 m): 31 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 97 cm, -68%)
  • Kremsmünster (O, 382 m): 0 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 23 cm, -100%)
  • Feldkirch (V, 438 m): 4 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 17 cm, -77%)
  • Rax (N, 1547 m): 16 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 79 cm, -80%)
  • Reichenau/Rax (N, 488 m): 0 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 31 cm, -100%)
  • Eisenstadt (B, 184 m): 0 cm of fresh snow in February 2025 (average 10 cm, -100%)

Temperature and Sunshine Above Average In terms of temperature, February 2025 was 1.0°C warmer than the average of the 1991-2020 climate period in Austria's lowlands, and 2.2°C milder than average in the mountains. This places February 2025 45th in the list of warmest Februarys in Austria's 258-year measurement history in the lowlands, and 23rd in the 174-year mountain measurement series. Compared to the climate period 1961-1990, February 2025 was 1.9°C warmer in the lowlands and 3.1°C warmer in the mountains. The number of sunshine hours in February 2025 was 8% above the long-term average for Austria.

Vegetation Development Slightly Earlier The development of vegetation was somewhat earlier than in an average February. For example, the first bloom of snowdrops occurred on February 16, 2025, which was three days earlier than the long-term average from 1991-2020. The start of hazel bloom was on February 15, 2025, which was four days earlier than the long-term average from 1991-2020.