That’s it, then? Forecasts suggest summer’s a no-show this year – Even Lake Balaton’s on the chilly side

Hopeful holidaymakers may be in for a damp squib, as the much-anticipated peak of summer is proving to be anything but sizzling. Forecasts indicate that classic beach weather remains out of reach. Lake Balaton is still unseasonably cold, and early August is beginning to resemble autumn rather than high summer, according to the latest weather updates.

Lake Balaton stays chilly, hospitality sector feeling the pinch

The signs of a cooler-than-usual summer are already plain to see around Lake Balaton. Water temperatures are currently hovering between 20–22°C (68–72°F) – a bit too nippy for most swimmers. Data from the Balaton Limnological Research Institute shows that over the past thirty years, the lake’s temperature has increased at a far greater rate than in the preceding 120 years, leading to more frequent aquatic heatwaves, reports Pénzcentrum.

This summer, however, seems to be bucking the trend. Beaches are far from heaving, and hotel and restaurant owners are already counting the cost, with noticeable drops in footfall. And don’t hold your breath for a turnaround – according to Köpönyeg.hu, while a brief hot spell may pop in for a cameo, it’ll be short-lived. Another cold front is already on its way.

Cold front arrives with a bang – Hail the size of ping-pong balls

On Sunday, the weather took a sharp turn. Thunderstorms, showers, and blustery winds swept in, ushering a fresh cold front across the region. Over the weekend, hailstones the size of eggs were reported in Slovenia, and the same system reached Hungary’s western border, prompting orange-level warnings in several counties, according to Köpönyeg.

HungaroMet reported that the front caused a noticeable drop in temperatures, particularly in the northwest. Sunday saw patchy to overcast skies, scattered showers, and thunderstorms mostly in the eastern regions. Winds veered north-westerly and picked up in strength, with the possibility of severe gusts around storm cells. Daytime highs varied wildly, from 22°C (72°F) in the west to a more summery 33°C (91°F) in the southeast.