Up to 20°C: Spring Arrives After Days of Snow Chaos

admin

Austria is heading into a remarkable weather turnaround this weekend, as a series of warm fronts push aside the recent snow chaos and usher in springlike temperatures. After days of deep winter conditions, large parts of the country can expect milder air, rising snow lines, and even sunshine — though not without some final bursts of unsettled weather. Sunday: Another Warm Front and Very Mild Air A second warm front will sweep across northern Austria on Sunday. From Salzburg eastward, frequent rainfall is expected until the afternoon, with the snow…

Read More

What Alcohol Fasting Really Does for the Body and Mind

admin

Every year during Lent, many people choose to give something up—meat, sweets, or increasingly, alcohol. While the tradition has religious roots, the practice of abstaining from alcohol for several weeks has gained broad cultural traction. And for good reason: medical experts agree that taking a break from drinking can have profound benefits for both physical and mental health. When it comes to alcohol, the rule of thumb is simple: the less, the better. A Culture of Casual Drinking In Austria, alcohol is woven into daily life. A glass of sparkling…

Read More

Cutting Utility Costs: 5 Power Hogs You Should Unplug at Night

admin

Many household devices continue drawing electricity even when they appear to be switched off. The culprit: standby mode. While convenient, it quietly drives up monthly energy bills. The good news? By unplugging a few key devices overnight, households can reduce power consumption without sacrificing comfort. 1. Microwaves: Silent Energy Drainers In the kitchen, the refrigerator earns its place as a 24/7 essential. The microwave, however, doesn’t. When not in use, it still draws electricity—often just to power a digital clock or keep internal electronics active. Energy experts at myHOMEBOOK note…

Read More

Climate Change Drives Wider Spread of Chikungunya Virus in Europe

admin

A new scientific analysis suggests that Europe could face a significantly higher risk from the Chikungunya virus in the coming years, as global case numbers continue to rise. According to research published in the Royal Society’s journal Interface, the virus is capable of spreading at lower temperatures than previously assumed—making transmission in much of Europe more likely. Lower Temperatures Enable Wider Transmission The study, led by Sandeep Tegar of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, examined existing data to determine the minimum temperatures at which the virus can be…

Read More

Smartphone Addiction: When the Handy Becomes a Drug

admin

Austrian psychiatrist Michael Musalek warns against trivializing excessive smartphone use—and argues that what many dismiss as a habit is, in fact, a genuine addiction. For many people, the smartphone has become an almost permanent extension of the hand. The constant scrolling, checking, refreshing—often performed automatically and with a hint of compulsion—has long been dismissed as a harmless quirk of modern life. But according to Vienna-based psychiatrist Michael Musalek, this behavior is anything but trivial. “Smartphone addiction is a real addiction,” he says. And the consequences, he warns, can be far…

Read More

Winter Weather Halts Vienna Airport Operations, A21 Fully Closed

admin

Severe winter weather has disrupted transportation across eastern Austria, forcing Vienna International Airport to temporarily suspend all operations early Friday morning. Heavy snowfall and icy conditions made safe takeoffs and landings impossible, airport spokesperson Peter Kleemann confirmed. “From the current perspective, individual departures should be possible again from 9:00 a.m., with landings expected to resume around 10:00 a.m. However, delays are still to be expected,” Kleemann said. Passengers were urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status. “If connections have been canceled, we ask…

Read More

Weekend Brings Snow First — Then a Taste of Spring

admin

Austria is in for a weather roller coaster: after a brief but intense return of winter, temperatures will rise quickly, bringing a distinctly springlike feel by the end of the weekend. Snow Warning as Winter Makes a Comeback A marked winter outbreak will deliver widespread snowfall on Friday, especially across eastern and southeastern Austria. According to Geosphere Austria, heavy snow is expected in the northeast and southeast during the morning hours. Precipitation will gradually ease in the afternoon, lingering the longest in the southeast and around the Arlberg region. Despite…

Read More

Winter Blast Causes Traffic Chaos in Eastern Austria

admin

A powerful winter storm swept across Austria overnight, bringing the heavy snowfall that meteorologists had warned about. Large parts of the country woke up on Friday to several centimeters of fresh snow — with Vienna and Lower Austria particularly hard hit. In Vienna’s Donaustadt district and in St. Pölten, snow depths have already exceeded 15 centimeters. In Kornat, Carinthia, the situation is even more dramatic: snow levels have risen by more than 40 centimeters since Thursday. Roads Slippery, Public Transport Disrupted The significant amounts of new snow, combined with drifting…

Read More

Severe Winter Outbreak: Snowstorm Rolling Toward the East

admin

A powerful Italian low-pressure system is set to dominate the weather on Thursday, bringing dense cloud cover and widespread winter conditions across much of the country. Precipitation will spread from the south into nearly all regions, with the initial snow line ranging between 400 and 1000 meters above sea level. As the afternoon progresses, colder air pushes in and the snow line drops significantly in all areas. The heaviest precipitation is expected during the morning along the southern Alpine regions and in the west, shifting gradually toward the northeast by…

Read More