Highest heat alert issued for parts of Austria this weekend
GeoSphere Austria has issued the highest heat warning level for parts of Austria this weekend, according to ORF. The warning was upgraded from orange to red on Wednesday for several areas, with maximum temperatures of around 40C expected in some regions.
The red warning applies across large areas on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, including Vienna, parts of Lower Austria and northern Burgenland. Parts of Upper Austria are on red alert on Saturday and Sunday, while Graz, Villach and Klagenfurt are on red alert on Sunday.
GeoSphere said one reason for the red warning is that temperatures are unlikely to fall much at night, especially in cities. Forecast lows of 24C to 27C are expected, and the red level means “extreme heat stress is to be expected”.
READ ALSO:How to stay cool in Austria during a heatwave
Questions raised over Graz FPÖ leader’s residence ahead of election
Questions have been raised about the registered residence of Graz FPÖ leader and National Council member Axel Kassegger, according to Der Standard. The issue comes days before the Graz election on June 28th and amid several internal controversies in the city party.
The city party barred two candidates from holding office shortly before the vote after an enquiry about Facebook posts described as seriously antisemitic. Another FPÖ candidate had already been reported in January over a deleted video that linked primary school children in Graz’s Gries district with crime and called for their “remigration”.
Kassegger has said everything is in order with his registered address. The FPÖ Steiermark had not answered questions about the address details or the deleted video before publication.
READ ALSO:Can foreigners vote in local elections in Graz?
Vienna prosecutors investigate alleged passport irregularities at Austrian embassy in London
Vienna prosecutors have opened an investigation into an employee of the Austrian embassy in London, AFP reported. The employee is suspected of having issued passports under an illegal procedure.
According to Kronen Zeitung, the employee is suspected of having issued at least 35 passports through an “accelerated procedure” that did not meet the required strict criteria.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry said the embassy discovered irregularities from 2022 to 2024 during an extraordinary check. The ministry said it launched further checks, filed a report with the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption, and started procedures to withdraw passports issued incorrectly.
READ ALSO:What documents should I get after obtaining Austrian citizenship?
Wiener Linien app to show air-conditioned public transport
Vienna’s WienMobil app will show which public transport vehicles are air-conditioned from July, according to ORF Vienna. Wiener Linien said 80 percent of its Öffi fleet is already air-conditioned, offering some relief during the current heatwave.
All buses and all U6 underground trains now have air conditioning. Ten years ago, only 40 percent of underground and tram services were air-conditioned, while the current share among rail vehicles is 64 percent.
Air-conditioned vehicles will be marked in the app with a blue ice cube icon. Wiener Linien said the systems cool, heat or ventilate automatically, and the driver cannot adjust the temperature.
READ ALSO:The essential rules you need to know for using Vienna's U-Bahn
Worth reading
With Austria competing in the World Cup, The Local Austria has a guide to the German words and phrases you need for the 2026 World Cup. It explains useful football terms and chants, from Auf geht’s and Tor to Elfmeter, Schiedsrichter and Abseits.
Members get access to this and other practical language explainers, guides and useful stories on The Local Austria, helping readers follow everyday conversations, cultural moments and public life in German.
What’s happening in Austria today
The Bundesrat meets at 9am in Vienna. Its agenda includes the Budget Measures Act 2026, with fixed fees for residence permits, tougher rules against bogus companies, changes to exit taxation and the option for employers to pay a tax-free employee bonus again this year.
Austria is forecast to remain sunny and very hot, with highs of 29C to 36C. Lower Austria’s heat warning system is active from today in large parts of the province, including St Pölten, Wiener Neustadt, Baden, Bruck an der Leitha, Krems-Land, Mödling and Tulln.
READ ALSO:The immigration changes that await foreigners in Austria in 2026 and beyond
Several rail works are affecting travel today. ÖBB has works between Ebreichsdorf and Neufeld an der Leitha from today until June 28th, the Feldkirch-Buchs SG closure is still affecting travel towards Switzerland, and S40 and R40 trains continue to run only to and from Wien Heiligenstadt until June 30th.
The National Special Olympics Summer Games begin in Vienna today, with the opening ceremony at 6pm at Sport Arena Wien. Around 1,800 athletes are expected to take part in the event, which runs until June 30th.
At the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, the Austrian Grand Prix weekend begins operationally today, although Formula 1 practice starts on Friday. The F1 Fan Zone is open from 12pm to 8pm, and a public pit lane walk is listed from 3:20 pm to 5:40 pm for valid ticket holders.
It is a normal working and school day in Austria. There is no national public holiday today, and schools are still in session, with the main summer holidays starting on July 4th in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, and on July 11th in the other six provinces.
Vocabulary
die Hitzewarnung – heat warning
die Meldeadresse – registered address
der Reisepass – passport
das Öffi – colloquial Austrian German for public transport
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.
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