Why do I need to know Wetterumschwung?
A Wetterumschwung is a noticeable or sometimes sudden change in the weather.
It’s standard German and not specifically Austrian, but it’s very useful in Austria, particularly if you follow local forecasts or spend time in the mountains. You’ll see it in weather reports, news coverage and warnings about changing conditions before hikes and other outdoor activities.
This week we had good example. Temperatures reached 32C in eastern Austria, while a cold front moving in from the west brought showers, thunderstorms, strong gusts and a clear drop in temperature.
READ ALSO: 'Achtung... Gefahr': What do Austria's weather warnings actually mean?
What does it mean?
Wetterumschwung combines Wetter, meaning “weather”, and Umschwung, which means a significant change, shift or turnaround.
That makes Wetterumschwung particularly useful for days when warm sunshine suddenly gives way to rain, wind and much cooler temperatures - exactly the kind of change Austria can experience when a cold front crosses the Alps.
READ ALSO: What you should do to stay safe during violent storms in Austria
Der, die or das?
It’s der Wetterumschwung.
The final part of the compound determines the gender, and it’s der Umschwung.
The plural is die Wetterumschwünge.
Use it like this:
Nach der Hitze kommt heute ein deutlicher Wetterumschwung.
After the heat, there’s a noticeable change in the weather today.
Für morgen ist ein Wetterumschwung mit Regen und starkem Wind angekündigt.
A change in the weather with rain and strong winds is forecast for tomorrow.
Vor einer Wanderung sollte man auf mögliche Wetterumschwünge achten.
Before a hike, you should watch out for possible sudden changes in the weather.
So if you leave home in sunshine and find yourself reaching for an umbrella and a jacket a few hours later, you may have just experienced a Wetterumschwung.
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