Lake Balaton is showing two very different faces in 2026: frozen hard enough for skating in January, yet so depleted by August that parts of its southern shore resemble a shallow wetland. The striking contrast reflects increasingly variable weather patterns in Central Europe and the growing impact of heat, evaporation and changing precipitation on the lake’s water balance.

Large swarms of non-biting midges have once again become a major problem along Lake Balaton’s southern shore this summer, prompting complaints from tourists and businesses. While harmless to humans, their increasingly intense mass emergences are being linked to changing environmental conditions, including climate change. Siófok’s mayor has called for government action.