If you’ve stepped outside in the First District today, you probably noticed the air feels like a damp freezer. Honestly, Vienna in mid-January isn't for the faint of heart. Right now, the Vienna 14 day weather forecast is showing a stubborn pattern of "grey on grey" that defines the Austrian capital this time of year.
It's cold.
Not "Arctic expedition" cold, but that biting, humid chill that sneaks under your wool coat and makes your bones ache. As of Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the city is hovering right around 32°F (0°C). Most of the sky is trapped under a thick layer of Stratus clouds. It's the kind of weather where you can't tell if the sun actually rose or if the city just got slightly less dark.
Yesterday was a mess. Freezing rain (what the locals call Glatteis) actually forced Vienna International Airport to shut down for several hours. This wasn't just a dusting of snow; it was a literal sheet of ice that kept reforming on the runways faster than the crews could scrape it off. If you’re flying in or out this week, keep your eyes on the flight boards.
The 14-day outlook: A slow slide into the deep freeze
The next two weeks look like a game of inches with the thermometer. Through the end of this week, we’re staying in that awkward "almost freezing" zone. Thursday and Friday will stay cloudy with highs around 31°F to 34°F.
💡 You might also like: Weather in Lexington Park: What Most People Get Wrong
Expect some light snow flurries on Friday, January 16. It won't be enough for a postcard, but it'll make the cobblestones slippery.
Weekend reprieve?
There is a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, are actually looking... okay? The forecast predicts mostly sunny skies. It’ll still be cold—highs of 36°F—but that vitamin D is going to feel like a miracle after a week of fog.
The week of January 19: Genuine winter
Buckle up for next week. The temperature is going to drop as a high-pressure system moves in. We're looking at:
- Monday/Tuesday: Clear, blue skies but biting lows of 20°F (-7°C).
- Mid-week: Steady highs of 29°F. It's going to stay below freezing even during the day.
- Late Week: Clouds return, and by Saturday, January 24, there’s a significant 35% chance of actual, measurable snow.
What most people get wrong about Viennese winters
Everyone expects a "Sound of Music" winter wonderland. In reality, Vienna sits in a transition zone between the damp maritime air of Western Europe and the dry, brutal continental air from the East.
📖 Related: Weather in Kirkwood Missouri Explained (Simply)
Usually, we get more wind than snow. The "Wiener Wind" is famous for being relentlessly annoying. It funnels through the narrow alleys of the Inner City, turning a "mild" 35-degree day into something that feels like 15 degrees.
Also, don't expect the Danube to freeze over. That hasn't happened in a way you could walk on for decades. If you want to skate, you go to the Wiener Eistraum (Vienna Ice Dream) in front of the Rathaus. It’s set to open later this month, and the upcoming sub-freezing temperatures are exactly what the organizers need to get the ice thick enough.
Navigating the city in this mess
If you're visiting right now, your best friend is the U-Bahn. It’s warm, it’s fast, and it keeps you away from the slushy sidewalks.
Honestly, the weather is the perfect excuse to do the most "Viennese" thing possible: sit in a coffee house for three hours with a single Melange. Places like Café Central or Café Sacher usually have lines, but in this mid-January lull, you can actually find a seat.
👉 See also: Weather in Fairbanks Alaska: What Most People Get Wrong
Survival tips for the next 14 days
- Footwear is everything. Do not wear sneakers. The salt they put on the roads will ruin leather, and the slush will soak through canvas in minutes. You need something with a grip; that Glatteis is no joke.
- Layer like an onion. The museums (like the Kunsthistorisches) are kept quite warm, but the walk between them is a wind tunnel.
- The "Heuriger" strategy. If it gets too gloomy, head up to the 19th district (Grinzing). The cozy wine taverns with wood-burning stoves make the grey skies disappear after a glass or two of Riesling.
The Vienna 14 day weather forecast tells us that the "deep winter" has finally arrived. We’re moving away from the messy ice-rain and into the crisp, dry cold. It's not great for sightseeing in the parks, but for the museums, the opera, and the ball season, it's actually pretty atmospheric.
If you are planning to head out, check the local ZAMG (Central Institution for Meteorology and Geodynamics) updates every morning. They are the gold standard for Austrian weather and catch the micro-climates that global apps often miss. For now, keep the scarf wrapped tight and maybe grab some roasted chestnuts (Maroni) from the street stalls—they’re the best hand-warmers money can buy.
Check your flight status if you're departing before Friday, as de-icing delays are still rippling through the schedule. If you're driving, ensure you have winter tires—it's not just a suggestion here; it's the law.