Austria's federal agency for geology, geophysics, climatology and meteorology
said on the 17th the past 12 months were the driest since official
meteorological records began in 1850. Precipitation deficits together with
sustained high temperatures have intensified the drought. From Feb. 23 to Aug. 9
this year eastern Austria averaged 210.9 mm of precipitation versus a long-term
average of 405 mm for the period, the lowest level for that span since at least
1961.