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Austria may be in for a rare festive treat this year: fresh snow right on Christmas Eve. While the current calm weather pattern continues through the weekend, meteorologists warn that a dramatic shift is on the horizon just in time for the holidays.
Calm Before the Christmas Change
A strong high‑pressure system over northern and western Europe is maintaining mostly quiet conditions, bringing sunshine to the west of Austria and persistent fog to the east. But the situation looks very different to the south, where a Mediterranean low‑pressure system is set to dominate the Christmas period with unsettled and rapidly changing weather.
This classic “high‑over‑low” setup is expected to draw cold air into Central Europe from the east. As temperatures drop across many regions, the boundary zone between the two systems becomes a breeding ground for snowfall.
Snow Possible Even in Vienna
According to ORF meteorologist Sigi Fink, snowfall could begin in parts of Austria during the night of December 24 to 25. Northern Lower Austria is among the regions most likely to see flakes, and even Vienna and Burgenland may experience a touch of winter magic.
Southern Austria could also wake up to a deep‑winter landscape. Current forecasts suggest that cities such as Klagenfurt and Lienz have a realistic chance of a white Christmas. However, meteorologists caution that the situation remains uncertain. In central Vienna, for example, precipitation could still fall as rain or sleet depending on the exact temperature profile.
Good News for Ski Resorts
Ski areas across the country can breathe a sigh of relief. The incoming cold spell will allow snowmaking operations to resume during the holiday season, improving conditions for winter sports after a mild start to December.
- Hector Pascua with reports from wetter.at/picture: pixabay.com
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