Danube water levels in November

Right now a Danube cruise in November 2026 has a 53% chance of running into low water at the shallowest stretch: high risk. This comes from the live forecast and is updated every morning.

November usually brings the autumn rain that refills the rivers, and most years recover through the month. A late autumn can leave the first weeks lean.

The long record puts November at low water in about 50% of years, 8th calmest of the twelve months on the Danube. Book May or April for the calmest water; August and September carry the most risk.

The last five Novembers, from the official record: 2025 3 low water days · 2024 12 low water days · 2023 clear · 2022 clear · 2021 19 low water days. Recent Novembers split: 2023 and 2022 stayed clear, while 2025, 2024 and 2021 hit low water.

Affected rarely means canceled. On the Danube it means ship swaps or bus days on the shallow reach between Straubing and Vilshofen and through the Wachau valley.

To turn this into a date-specific answer, use the cruise checker. The wider picture is on the Danube page and in when to go.