Hundstage in Austria 2026: Dog Days Forecast and Everything You Need to Know

Hundstage in Austria 2026: Dog Days Forecast and Everything You Need to Know Hundstage (dog days) in Austria from July 23 to August 23, 2026: weather forecast from meteorologists, what the Hundstage mean, and how to survive the hottest weeks of summer. Topics: News, Leisure & Culture.

On July 23, the Hundstage (dog days) begin in Austria — traditionally the hottest period of the year, lasting until August 23. After the extreme June 2026 heat wave that pushed temperatures to a record 40°C, many are wondering: will it get even hotter? The forecast from meteorologists is surprisingly measured. This article explains what the Hundstage in Austria are, what the latest forecasts predict, and how to stay healthy during the hottest weeks of summer.

What are the Hundstage? Definition and dates

The Hundstage (German for “dog days”) refer to the period from July 23 to August 23, which marks the hottest time of the year in Central Europe. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with dogs — the term comes from astronomy, specifically the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog) and its brightest star Sirius, also known as the Dog Star. As GeoSphere Austria explains, in antiquity the heliacal rising of Sirius coincided with the peak of summer heat, which is how the name originated.

Although the rising of Sirius has since shifted to late August due to the precession of the Earth’s axis, the traditional dates remain unchanged. Meteorologically, the temperature peak in Austria does statistically occur between late July and mid-August. The paradox is that while solar radiation peaks at the summer solstice (June 21), the ground and bodies of water take weeks to fully heat up and release that warmth back into the atmosphere.

Forecast for the Hundstage 2026 in Austria

Will there be another heat wave? The answer from meteorologists is: possibly, but not certain. As reported by the Kronen Zeitung, weather models show a gradual warming trend, but a repeat of the record-breaking June heat wave is currently considered unlikely.

UBIMET meteorologist Josef Lukas notes that the Alpine region does experience its hottest period during the Hundstage. Austria’s all-time temperature record of 40.5°C (set in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg in August 2013) actually falls within this period. However, this year’s situation is different: the extreme June heat wave already released enormous atmospheric energy, and the large-scale weather pattern has become more changeable.

“The range of model solutions is simply still too large,” the Krone quotes meteorologist Wölflingseder. The first week of the Hundstage 2026 will start with a cold front and cooler weather — highs between 22 and 27°C — but uncertainty increases sharply from late July onward.

The models do show a gradual warming trend toward the end of July, but to what level remains completely unclear. A repeat of the record-breaking June heat is unlikely based on current data — with the caveat of the dynamic forecast situation.

— Manuel Wölflingseder, Meteorologist

Why the Hundstage are the hottest time of year

Unlike other weather singularities such as the Ice Saints or the Sheep’s Cold, the Hundstage are not a meteorological phenomenon but an astronomically influenced period. Nevertheless, statistics confirm that this period does bring the year’s highest temperatures. By late July, the atmosphere is fully heated, and while solar radiation has already begun to decrease, the heat storage in soil and buildings peaks only in August.

According to the “100-Year Calendar” — a collection of traditional farmers’ wisdom — the Hundstage 2026 will be split into two phases: late July and early August with genuine heat peaks, followed by more unstable, stormy weather in the second half of August. As Heute.at notes, such predictions are not scientifically reliable but do reflect certain statistical probabilities.

What the 100-Year Calendar predicts for 2026

The 100-Year Calendar forecasts a generally hot summer phase for the Hundstage 2026. According to this centuries-old tradition, late July will be very hot, while August will be more changeable with thunderstorms. Those planning summer holidays should target the last week of July and the very beginning of August for the best beach weather.

However, meteorologists urge caution with such long-range predictions. Reliable forecasts are only possible 7 to 10 days ahead. The German Weather Service puts the probability of a warmer-than-average summer 2026 at 81 percent — but with regular interruptions from thunderstorms and cooler periods.

Health risks during the Hundstage and heat protection

Austria’s National Heat Protection Plan from the Ministry of Social Affairs defines four warning levels: Green (no stress), Yellow (from 30°C felt temperature), Orange (35°C), and Red (40°C). Statistically, the Hundstage account for the highest number of Orange and Red warning days.

At-risk groups include the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing conditions. Typical heat-related issues include circulatory problems, headaches, nausea, and sleep disturbances. The human body is under immense strain during extreme heat: according to one study, approximately 62,700 people across 32 European countries died from heat-related causes in the summer of 2024.

Practical tips for the Hundstage:

• Stay hydrated: Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water or unsweetened tea daily
• Keep your home cool: Open windows only at night and in the morning; darken rooms during the day
• Avoid midday sun: Stay out of direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Eat light: Plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoid heavy fatty foods
• Seek cool spaces: Use public cooling places in Vienna and other cities
• Check on neighbours: Regularly ask about the well-being of elderly or unwell people

The astronomical background: Sirius and the Great Dog

The Hundstage have a fascinating astronomical origin. The ancient Egyptians observed around 4,000 years ago that Sirius — the brightest star in the night sky — first became visible again just before sunrise in late July. This event heralded the annual Nile flood, which was vital for agriculture. The Greeks believed that Sirius’s light amplified the sun’s radiation and caused the extreme heat.

The Romans adopted the term as “dies caniculares” (days of the Dog Star) and considered them a dangerous time: “The sea boiled, wine turned sour, and people fell ill,” as one Roman scholar described it. As UBIMET explains, the precession of the Earth’s axis has since shifted the astronomical event by about four weeks — Sirius now rises only in late August, heralding early autumn.

The term has survived in many languages: Italian “la canicola”, French “la canicule”, English “dog days”, and even the Russian word “kanikuly” (каникулы) for “holidays” all derive from the Latin “dies caniculares”.

How the Hundstage differ from the June heat wave

The extreme June 2026 heat wave was an exceptional event: 14 consecutive days with temperatures above 30°C, a record 39.7°C in Vienna, and new records at 157 of 277 weather stations. However, such a heat dome is not typical for the Hundstage. As previously covered on how2austria.com regarding extreme heat in Austria, the June records were historically unique.

The Hundstage typically bring more stable high-pressure situations but rarely produce such extreme peak values. As GeoSphere Austria notes in its June climate report, the record heat was caused by a very specific weather configuration that is not expected to repeat. The infrastructure problems faced by Austrian railways due to heat also show that even temperatures around 35°C can have serious consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the Hundstage (dog days) in 2026?

The Hundstage run from July 23 to August 23, 2026. These four weeks are traditionally considered the hottest period of the year in Central Europe.

Will there be a heat wave during the Hundstage 2026?

According to current forecasts, an extreme heat wave like the one in June 2026 is unlikely, though not impossible. Expect summer temperatures around 30°C, with intermittent thunderstorms and cooler periods. Reliable forecasts are only available a few days in advance.

Why are they called Hundstage (dog days)?

The name comes from the constellation Canis Major (Great Dog) and its brightest star Sirius (the Dog Star). In ancient times, the rising of Sirius coincided with the peak of summer heat. The name has no connection to actual dogs.

What should I do to cope with the heat during the Hundstage?

Austria’s National Heat Protection Plan recommends: drink 2–3 litres of water daily, keep your home cool, avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., eat light meals, and use public cooling places.

Conclusion

The Hundstage 2026 in Austria begin on July 23 with a mixed forecast: no second extreme heat wave like June’s, but solidly summer temperatures that may reach 35°C at times. The key word is variability: thunderstorms and cooler periods will alternate with warm high-pressure days. The best strategy is to stay flexible, keep an eye on the weather forecast, avoid the midday sun, and enjoy the summer responsibly — with adequate sun protection and hydration. Stay healthy and enjoy the summer!

Also read our articles about extreme heat in Austria and how heat affects railway infrastructure.