Geosphere Issues a Warning

Thunderstorm front expected to hit Upper Austria in two waves

Things are set to get really wild in the sky today (stock photo)(Bild: FOTOKERSCHI / WERNER KERSCHBAUMMAYR)

This could be a rough one: Geosphere Austria is warning Upper Austria of a massive thunderstorm that is expected to sweep across our region in two waves starting at 4 p.m. An “orange alert” is in effect for eleven districts.

According to Geosphere Austria, a foehn-like southwesterly flow is currently carrying very warm air masses and Saharan dust into the Alpine region. A cold front is approaching from the west and is expected to reach Upper Austria during the first half of the night. A pressure wave is forming ahead of this cold front, causing the wind to shift to the west and bringing temporary, stormy gusts. Depending on the dynamics, the pressure wave may already trigger some severe thunderstorms; additional thunderstorms are also expected during the first half of the night in connection with the actual passage of the front.

Timeframe and intensity of the thunderstorm event:
The thunderstorm warning is in effect from 4:00 p.m. today until 4:00 a.m. tomorrow, according to meteorologists. As things stand now, the thunderstorms will come in two waves—a first wave in the late afternoon and evening hours, and a second wave during the first half of the night. In some cases, a thunderstorm line may form. The main hazards are strong winds and damaging hail, and in some cases, heavy rainfall. 

Assessment of model forecasts: Model predictions vary widely—some models show “only” thunderstorms during the first half of the night. The Inn and Hausruck regions, as well as the Upper Mühlviertel and parts of the Central Region, are expected to be most severely affected.

Regions with potential impacts:
Orange alert: Braunau, Ried, Schärding, Rohrbach, Urfahr Umgebung, Vöcklabruck, Grieskirchen, Eferding, Wels, Gmunden, Linz-Land.

Yellow alert level: Freistadt, Perg, Steyr-Enns, Kirchdorf