Autumn cooling and drought: what to prepare for now

This year, the change of season feels especially sharp: after summer, cool and windy weather arrived suddenly, while the dryness has remained with us. According to HungaroMet’s climate study, the summer of 2026 was the driest in Hungary since 1901, and at the same time the second warmest summer. This matters because the current cool-down on its own does not solve the water shortage affecting soil and vegetation.

Over the next few days, people therefore need to think at once about cooler homes, the start of the heating season, dry gardens and changed travel conditions. The situation does not call for extraordinary panic, but for conscious preparation: with a few small checks and considered steps, many inconveniences can be prevented.

What is happening with the weather now?

According to HungaroMet’s agrometeorological analysis, in the third decade of September daytime peak temperatures fell below 20C, while the daily mean temperature dropped to between 10C and 14C. In frost-prone areas, the first autumn frosts have already appeared, which clearly shows that the autumn turn has indeed taken place.

According to Portfolio’s report, the front may have brought a cooling of as much as 10C, while no meaningful rain arrived. According to Pénzcentrum, temperatures between 2C and 11C may occur on late-September dawns, made even more uncomfortable by the north-westerly wind.

This combination is unusually taxing because both the body and households are switching from summer mode to autumn mode in a short period of time. Because of the daytime cooling and the strengthening evening chill, the question of turning on the heating suddenly arises in many homes.

The cool-down does not mean the end of the drought

Many people tend to think that if a cold front arrives, the dryness will ease as well. This time, however, that did not happen. According to HungaroMet’s agrometeorological analysis, drought conditions persisted because of the lack of meaningful precipitation, which means that despite the cooler weather, the soil’s water deficit remains a serious problem.

In practice, this means that gardens, vegetable plots and, in many places, lawns have received no real replenishment. The cold may slow evaporation, but without significant rainfall, the situation for plants does not recover. Autumn work should therefore not be planned according to the usual logic of a wetter season.

What is worth checking at home before the heating season?

One of the most important household consequences of the sudden cool-down is that heating will be used earlier in many homes. According to MVM, gas storage facilities have been filled and network preparations have been completed, but safe start-up also requires checks on the part of property owners.

MVM’s statement specifically highlights that specialist inspection of gas appliances and chimneys is essential. This is not simply a matter of comfort: missed maintenance can increase consumption, reduce the efficiency of the equipment and also create safety risks.

If the heating system has not been running for months, it is worth checking before the prolonged cold sets in whether everything starts properly. In the event of a strange smell, unusual noise, uneven operation or slow warm-up, it is advisable to contact a professional rather than experimenting with its use for a longer period.

• It is worth checking whether the thermostat is working properly.
• It is useful to see whether the radiators are heating evenly.
• It is advisable to make sure that ventilation is not obstructed around heating equipment.
• It is sensible to arrange a specialist inspection in good time if one is due.

Energy saving: now the small steps really matter

According to HelloMagyar’s report, in the sudden coat-weather, checking insulation and managing energy consciously become more important. During rapid cooling, many people immediately turn the heating up higher, even though a few simple changes are often enough to make a big difference.

It is worth reducing heat loss first and only then increasing the heating. In many homes, draughty windows, poorly closing doors or ventilation left open overnight cause the greatest discomfort. At times like this, short, intensive airing is generally more sensible than leaving a window slightly open for a long time.

It can also help if heating is not turned on all at once with a big jump, but adjusted gradually to the weather outside. Dressing in layers can be useful at home too, especially in the morning and evening, when the home has not yet fully warmed up.

• It is worth checking window insulation and whether doors close properly.
• Thicker curtains or a draught excluder may be useful where air movement is noticeable.
• Radiators should be left unobstructed so that heat output is not restricted.
• Short, thorough airing is generally more favourable than leaving windows tilted open for long periods.

What is worth doing in the garden?

The autumn cool-down can mislead many garden owners, because the cool weather can make it easy to think that the strain on plants has eased. In reality, dry soil and the lack of precipitation remain decisive factors. Based on HungaroMet’s climate study and fresh agrometeorological analysis, we entered autumn with a severe water deficit.

Freshly planted plants, autumn sowings and more sensitive ornamental plants can be especially affected by the dry, windy weather. Cooler air does not replace watering; at most, it reduces evaporation. For this reason, where local rules and conditions allow, carefully considered water replacement may still be necessary.

It is also worth being cautious with autumn soil work. Very dry ground is harder to cultivate, and poorly timed deeper turning can let even more moisture escape from the upper layers. In many places, it may be wiser to cover the soil, keep mulch in place and use targeted, economical watering.

Different conditions must also be expected on the roads

The sudden cool-down requires quick adaptation not only at home but also while travelling. Cold mornings, wind and earlier darkness together increase the feeling of tiredness, and windscreens can mist up more easily. This can be particularly unpleasant on short urban journeys, when the car interior has not yet warmed up.

According to HelloMagyar’s report, the windy cool-down without transition suddenly changed people’s sense of comfort in several places. At such times, it is worth allowing more time before setting off, especially in the morning, when the cold, the mist and the rush together can easily lead to inattention.

Those setting off on longer journeys would do well to think ahead about dressing in layers and to keep a warmer top in the car as well. Cyclists and pedestrians, meanwhile, should pay attention to how it feels because of the wind, not just to the displayed temperature.

The most important lesson of the current situation is that colder weather has arrived, but the water shortage has still not gone away. For that very reason, those likely to do best now are the ones who pay attention at the same time to a safe start to the heating season, economical energy use, the real condition of the garden and colder, windier travel conditions. A few conscious steps can not only make the coming weeks more comfortable, but also help autumn begin with fewer unpleasant surprises.