Every morning
The morning note
Each morning we read the official gauges on the Rhine, Danube, Elbe and Seine, pull the rainfall over the catchments that feed them, and rebuild the forecast. This is the short written version of what changed and what it means if you have a river cruise booked.
Mon, October 26, 2026
Rhine odds of sailing as planned rise to 85 percent
Rain fell over the Alpine headwaters near Chur and Basel yesterday, 15.9 millimeters against a normal 3, and the Rhine came up at Lobith. The chance of a Rhine cruise day going as planned this week is now 85 percent, up from 70 yesterday. Danube water levels at Budapest are still low for late October, and this week sits at 10 percent as planned, so expect lines to lighten the ship or swap vessels with a coach in between. December looks easier on both rivers.
Sun, October 25, 2026
Rhine odds for this week rise to 70 percent
Rain reached the Alpine headwaters above Chur and Basel yesterday, 8.8 millimeters where 2.9 is normal, and the Lower Rhine at Lobith came up with it. The chance of a Rhine sailing day going as planned this week is now 70 percent, up from 55 percent yesterday. The river is still at low water for October, which usually means ships carry lighter loads or run a coach around one shallow stretch. The Danube at Budapest edged up too, and its week moved to 19 percent as planned from 3 percent.
Sat, October 24, 2026
Rhine comes up at Lobith, week's odds improve to 55%
The Lower Rhine at Lobith rose yesterday, and the chance of a sailing day going as planned this week moved up to 55 percent from 42 percent. November on the Rhine sits at 22 percent as planned, so low water is still the shape of the autumn. The Danube at Budapest dropped again and reads 3 percent as planned this week, which for most passengers means a lighter load, a coach transfer around a shallow stretch, or a day rearranged rather than a canceled river cruise.
Fri, October 23, 2026
Rhine week improves to 42 percent going as planned
The Rhine's week came up overnight. Forty-two percent of sailing days are now expected to go as planned, against 20 percent yesterday, after 16 millimeters of rain fell on the Alpine headwaters two days ago. Lobith is still at low water at 702, and October stands at 9 percent. The Danube at Budapest fell again and sits at 3 percent for the week, which usually means a ship carrying less weight, or a coach past the shallow stretch to a sister ship on the other side.
Thu, October 22, 2026
Rhine odds of sailing as planned rise to 20 percent
Rain reached the Alpine headwaters above Chur and Basel yesterday, 16.2 millimeters against a normal 3.2, and the Rhine's chance of sailing as planned this week went from 3 percent to 20. The river has not answered yet. Flow at Lobith eased again to 712 and the Rhine is still at low water, as is the Danube at Budapest, which sits at 3 percent as planned this week. On these rivers low water usually means lighter loading or a coach ride to a sister ship rather than a canceled river cruise.
Tue, October 20, 2026
Rhine odds this week improve to 11 percent as planned
Rain is due in the Alpine headwaters above Chur and Basel, 25.5 millimeters over the next week against a normal 19.9. Kaub came up a centimeter to 20, and the chance of a Rhine cruise day going as planned this week rose from 4 percent to 11. The river is still at low water, and has been for 161 days this season. The Danube at Pfelling is in much the same place at 17 percent as planned, which in practice means lighter loading or a coach around the shallow stretch.
Mon, October 19, 2026
Danube came up 9 centimeters at Pfelling
The Danube at Pfelling came up 9 centimeters overnight, to 236, and this week's chance of sailing as planned eased from 6 to 11 percent. Kaub on the Rhine added 2 centimeters, though at 10 centimeters it is still at low water, and the week reads 4 percent as planned. Close to 39 millimeters of rain is due in the Alpine headwaters over the next seven days, about double normal for October. Low water like this usually means a river cruise ship loading lighter, or a coach around a shallow stretch to a sister ship.
Sun, October 18, 2026
Rhine's week ahead drops to 7 percent as planned
Rain reached the Alpine headwaters above Basel yesterday, 9.4 millimeters against a normal 4.8, and Maxau held nearly still at 302 centimeters. The chance of a Rhine cruise day going as planned this week is 7 percent, down from 18 percent yesterday, while November sits at 28 percent. Low water like this usually means lighter loading, or a coach past the shallow stretch to a sister ship, rather than a canceled cruise. The Danube at Pfelling fell 4 centimeters to 232, with 17 millimeters of rain due there over the next week.
Sat, October 17, 2026
Rain due on the Rhine lifts this week's odds to 18 percent
Rain is due in the Alpine headwaters above Basel, about 34 millimeters over the next seven days against a normal 22 for mid-October. The Rhine's chance of sailing as planned this week has moved from 7 percent yesterday to 18 percent today. Maxau hasn't felt it yet, sitting at 290 centimeters and still at low water, which at this depth usually means lighter loading or a coach ride to a sister ship rather than a canceled cruise. The Danube at Pfelling fell 3 centimeters to 231.
Fri, October 16, 2026
Rhine holds at low water after 2 cm rise at Maxau
The Rhine came up 2 centimeters at Maxau, to 301, and the Alpine headwaters should see 26 millimeters of rain over the next seven days, a shade above normal for mid-October. It is still low water there, with 7 percent of Rhine cruise days this week expected to go as planned, up from 5 percent yesterday. The Danube at Budapest rose too, to 1,287 cubic meters a second. When water levels are this low, ships load lighter or run passengers by coach around the shallow stretch to a sister ship.
Thu, October 15, 2026
Rhine stays at low water after a rise at Lobith
The Rhine came up at Lobith, from 868 to 913 cubic meters a second, and the Alpine headwaters are due about 28 millimeters of rain this week, above normal for October. The Danube at Budapest rose as well. Both are still at low water, and on the Rhine the chance of a sailing day going as planned is 1 percent this week and 31 percent in November. At these levels a river cruise ship carries less weight, and some lines coach passengers past the shallow stretch to a sister ship.
Wed, October 14, 2026
Danube at Budapest came up after rain in the Inn valley
Rain fell across the Inn valley yesterday, a little more than October usually brings, and the Danube at Budapest came up overnight from 1,044 to 1,124 cubic meters a second. It is still low water. The chance of a Danube sailing day going as planned is 1 percent this week and 29 percent in November, and in practice low water means a ship loaded lighter or passengers coached past the shallow stretch to a sister ship. The Rhine at Lobith came up a little too.
Tue, October 13, 2026
Rhine still at low water after a small rise at Lobith
The Elbe at Dresden came up 13 centimeters overnight to 71, and the Rhine at Lobith and Danube at Budapest both carried more water than yesterday. All three are still at low water. Sailing days this week run at a 1 percent chance of going as planned on the Rhine and Danube, 31 percent on the Elbe; November reads 30 percent on the Rhine and 57 percent on the Elbe. On the Rhine that normally means a lighter load or a coach transfer to a sister ship.
Mon, October 12, 2026
Rhine at Lobith still at low water this week
The Rhine at Lobith came up overnight, from 758 to 797 cubic meters a second, after 16 millimeters of rain fell in the Alpine headwaters two days ago. It is still at low water, and the chance of a Rhine cruise day going as planned this week is 1 percent, which in practice means lighter loading or a swap to a sister ship with a coach in between. November reads 31 percent as planned. The Danube at Budapest ticked up too, with October water levels there at 6 percent as planned.
Sun, October 11, 2026
Rhine comes up four centimeters at Kaub after rain
Rain reached the Alpine headwaters yesterday, 16 millimeters where 4 is normal, and the Kaub gauge came up four centimeters to 16. The Rhine is still at low water, with a 1 percent chance of sailing as planned this week and 2 percent across October, improving to 32 percent for November. Lines handle a stretch like this by loading the ship lighter, or by moving passengers to a sister ship past the shallow section with a coach in between. The Elbe at Dresden swung the other way overnight, and the week there now sits at 56 percent as planned against 6 percent yesterday.
Sat, October 10, 2026
Rhine comes up five centimeters at Maxau
The Rhine at Maxau came up five centimeters, to 308. The chance of a Rhine cruise day going as planned this week eased from 1 percent to 4 percent. The Rhine and the Danube are both still at low water this October, and Budapest sits at 1 percent as planned for the week, with November at 29 percent. Low water usually means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach ride in between.
Fri, October 9, 2026
Rhine comes up 14 centimeters at Maxau
Rain fell over the Alpine headwaters yesterday and the Maxau gauge came up 14 centimeters to 302. The Upper Rhine is still at low water, and the chance of a sailing day going as planned this week is 1 percent, with October at 7 percent and November at 43. The Danube at Budapest is still very low, running at 12 percent as planned for October. Low water on these rivers usually means a lighter load, a swap to a sister ship with a coach between, or a day rearranged rather than a cruise canceled.
Thu, October 8, 2026
Rhine odds for this week improve to 19 percent
Maxau came up a centimeter overnight to 279, and the chance of a Rhine day going as planned this week improved from 12 percent to 19. Water levels are still low for October, though November on the Rhine sits at 43 percent as planned and December at 64. Low water of this kind rarely cancels a river cruise; more often it means lighter loading, or a coach around a shallow stretch to a sister ship. The Danube at Budapest is the tighter one, dropping again, at 1 percent as planned this week.
Wed, October 7, 2026
Rhine steady at 283 centimeters at Maxau
The Rhine stopped falling at Maxau, holding at 283 centimeters, and this week's odds of a sailing day going as planned rose from 5 percent to 12. About 29 millimeters of rain is due in the Alpine headwaters over the next seven days, a little above normal for October. Rhine water levels are still below where ships start having difficulty, which in practice means lighter loading, or a coach around a shallow stretch to a sister ship. The Danube at Budapest fell again, with 2 percent of days going as planned this week.
Tue, October 6, 2026
Rhine comes up at Lobith but stays at low water
Rain reached the Alpine headwaters above Chur and Basel yesterday, a little more than normal for the date, and the Rhine at Lobith came up from 629 to 663. The river is still at low water, and the chance of a Rhine cruise day going as planned this week is 1 percent. That usually means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach ride in between. For October as a whole the figure is 11 percent, and November sits at 44.
Mon, October 5, 2026
Rhine came up at Lobith on the Lower Rhine
Rain is heading for the Alpine headwaters above Basel and Chur, close to 35 millimeters this week, more than October normally brings. The Lower Rhine at Lobith came up overnight, though it is still below the level where ships have difficulty, and Rhine water levels this week carry a 1 percent chance of going as planned. The Danube dropped 4 centimeters at Pfelling, to 211. Low water usually means a ship loads lighter or swaps to a sister ship with a coach in between, and November on the Rhine reads 44 percent as planned.
Sun, October 4, 2026
Rhine came up at Lobith overnight
The Rhine came up at Lobith overnight, flow going from 552 to 588, and the Alpine headwaters are due slightly more rain this week than October normally brings. Both the Rhine and the Danube are still below the level where ships start having difficulty, and for river cruise sailings this week the chance of going as planned is 1 percent on the Rhine and 6 percent on the Danube. In practice that usually means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach in between. November water levels on the Rhine sit at 44 percent as planned.
Sat, October 3, 2026
Rhine hits its 144th low water day this season
The Elbe at Dresden came up seven centimeters overnight, to 57. The Rhine slipped again at Lobith, and this is now the lowest season in 30 years of records there, 144 days at low water against 96 in 2003. Rhine sailings this week carry a 1 percent chance of going as planned, which in practice usually means a swap to a sister ship with a coach in between rather than a canceled cruise. October as a whole sits at 10 percent as planned on the Rhine, with November at 45 percent.
Fri, October 2, 2026
Rhine at Kaub comes up three centimeters
Rain reached the Alpine headwaters above Chur and Basel yesterday, 9.1 millimeters where 3.1 is normal, and Kaub came up three centimeters overnight to read minus one. The Rhine is still at low water, with this week's chance of sailing as planned at 1 percent, though the outlook eases to 45 percent in November and 63 percent in December. On the ground that usually means a ship loaded lighter, or a coach around the shallow stretch to a sister ship. The Danube at Pfelling slipped a centimeter to 205, and October there stands at 15 percent as planned.
Thu, October 1, 2026
Rhine at Kaub drops to minus six centimeters
Further out the Rhine eases, with November at 45 percent going as planned and December at 63 percent. This morning Kaub read minus six centimeters, two lower than yesterday. The week ahead sits at 1 percent as planned and October as a whole at 14 percent, which in practice tends to mean a ship loading lighter, or passengers moving to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach in between. The Elbe at Dresden dropped four centimeters to 53 and is now below the level where ships start having difficulty.
Wed, September 30, 2026
Kaub comes up 3 cm but Rhine stays at low water
Kaub rose three centimeters overnight, to 1 cm, the first upward move in a while on the Middle Rhine. It is still low water there, and this week carries a 1 percent chance of sailing as planned, so expect lines to lighten the load, swap to a sister ship across a shallow stretch with a coach between, or reshuffle a day. Further out the Rhine eases: 45 percent as planned in November, 63 percent in December. The Danube at Pfelling slipped four centimeters and sits in the same position for October, at 16 percent.
Tue, September 29, 2026
Kaub comes up five centimeters on the Rhine
Kaub on the Middle Rhine came up five centimeters overnight, from zero to five. The river is still at low water, and the chance of a Rhine sailing day going as planned this week is 1 percent. It eases further out, with 45 percent for November and 63 percent for December. The Danube held flat at Pfelling, 213 centimeters, and at these levels lines usually load the ship lighter or run a coach between two ships across the shallow stretch.
Mon, September 28, 2026
Rhine drops another centimeter at Kaub, now 2
The Danube held level overnight, with Pfelling still reading 209 centimeters. The Rhine gave up another centimeter at Kaub, down to 2, and both rivers sit below the mark where ships start having difficulty. For this week that leaves a 1 percent chance of a sailing day going as planned on either river, which in practice usually means lighter loading or a swap to a sister ship with a coach ride between the two. Rhine water levels look easier by December, at 63 percent.
Sun, September 27, 2026
Rhine holds at minus 2 centimeters at Kaub
The Rhine gauge at Kaub read minus 2 centimeters this morning, the same as yesterday, so the slide of recent weeks paused overnight. It is still low water on the Rhine, and the chance of a sailing day going as planned this week is 1 percent, which in practice tends to mean a lighter ship or a swap to a sister vessel past the shallow stretch with a coach in between. The Danube at Pfelling eased one centimeter to 206. Further out, December on the Rhine reads 63 percent as planned.
Sat, September 26, 2026
Rhine at Kaub holds at zero for a second day
Rain is due in the Alpine headwaters over the next week, around 14 millimeters. Kaub sits at zero centimeters for a second morning, with flow down to 555. This week reads 1 percent as planned on the Rhine, and the Danube is the same after Pfelling dropped 3 centimeters to 210, which in practice means ships carrying less weight or a swap to a sister ship across the shallow stretch with a coach in between. On the Rhine, November is 45 percent as planned and December 63 percent.
Fri, September 25, 2026
Kaub comes up 2 cm but Rhine stays at low water
Kaub rose two centimeters overnight, to 5 cm, and the Danube at Pfelling added a centimeter to reach 217. Both rivers are still below the level where ships start having difficulty, and for sailings this week the chance of going as planned is 1 percent on each. In practice that means lighter loading, a swap to a sister ship across a shallow stretch with a coach between, or a day rearranged on shore. December currently sits at 63 percent as planned on the Rhine, and rain in the Alpine headwaters would move these numbers faster than anything else.
Thu, September 24, 2026
Rhine drops to 8 centimeters at Kaub
The Danube came up a centimeter overnight at Pfelling, its first gain there in several days. The Rhine went the other way, down to 8 centimeters at Kaub, and 1 percent of sailing days this week are expected to go as planned. Low water on the Rhine usually means a ship carries less weight, or passengers coach past the shallow stretch to a sister ship waiting on the far side. The Alpine headwaters have no rain forecast for the next seven days, against a normal 26 millimeters.
Wed, September 23, 2026
Rhine at Kaub drops to 13 centimeters
The Danube came up 3 centimeters at Pfelling overnight, to 210. The Rhine gave back a centimeter at Kaub and stands at 13, and for river cruise sailings this week both rivers sit at a 1 percent chance of going as planned. In practice that means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship on the far side of a shallow stretch with a coach in between. Rhine water levels look easier later in the year, at 45 percent as planned in November and 63 percent in December.
Tue, September 22, 2026
Danube falls 8 centimeters at Pfelling
Rain kept falling over the Bohemian basin and the Elbe at Dresden held steady at 62 centimeters, with a 92 percent chance of sailing as planned this week. On the Danube, Pfelling dropped 8 centimeters to 207, and Kaub on the Middle Rhine slipped 3 centimeters to 13, which leaves both at a 1 percent chance of going as planned this week. Lines handle low water by loading lighter or swapping ships either side of a shallow stretch, and December on the Rhine reads 63 percent as planned.
Mon, September 21, 2026
Rhine at Kaub comes up 2 centimeters to 16
Kaub came up 2 centimeters overnight, to 16, and Pfelling on the Danube gained 2 as well. Rain over the Bohemian basin lifted the Elbe at Dresden to a 94 percent chance of going as planned this week, up from 84. Both the Rhine and the Danube are still at low water, at 1 percent as planned this week and 7 and 4 percent for September, easing to 17 and 21 percent in October. Low water usually means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship with a coach around the shallow stretch.
Sun, September 20, 2026
Kaub comes up 4 cm but Rhine stays at low water
Kaub read 21 centimeters this morning, four centimeters above yesterday, though the Middle Rhine is still sitting at low water and this week shows a 1 percent chance of sailing as planned. December looks much easier, at 63 percent. Low water rarely stops a Rhine river cruise outright, and lines handle it by loading lighter, swapping to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach between, or reshuffling a day ashore. On the Danube, Pfelling slipped a centimeter to 223.
Sat, September 19, 2026
Rhine falls six centimeters at Maxau to 304 cm
The Elbe at Dresden held its level overnight and flow came up, so this week on the Elbe sits at 81 percent going as planned. Maxau on the Rhine fell six centimeters to 304, which is low water, with this week at 1 percent as planned and October easing to 22 percent. The Danube at Pfelling did not move, still 224 centimeters and still low. At these levels lines load lighter, or swap you to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach in between.
Fri, September 18, 2026
Rhine still at low water despite a rise at Lobith
The Rhine came up at Lobith, with flow rising from 749 to 797 after rain in the Alpine headwaters two days ago. It is still low water, and the chance of a Rhine sailing day going as planned is 1 percent this week and 7 percent across September. October improves to 19 percent and December to 63 percent. The Danube at Pfelling slipped a centimeter to 223, where low water mostly means lighter loading or a swap to a sister ship with a coach in between.
Thu, September 17, 2026
Danube drops 9 centimeters at Pfelling gauge
Rain fell on the Alpine headwaters yesterday, 11.4 millimeters against 2.8 as normal, and Rhine water levels came up with it. Both rivers are still at low water this morning. The Danube gauge at Pfelling dropped 9 centimeters to 227, and sailing days this week read 1 percent as planned on the Danube and the Rhine alike. In practice that usually means a ship loads lighter, or you coach past a shallow stretch and board a sister ship on the far side.
Wed, September 16, 2026
Danube flow up at Pfelling, still at low water
The Danube came up yesterday, with flow at Pfelling rising from 162 to 192 cubic meters a second, and around 11 millimeters of rain is due in the Inn valley over the next week. The Straubing to Vilshofen stretch is still below the level where ships start having difficulty, so expect lighter loading, a ship swap with a coach across the shallow part, or a reshuffled day. This week sits at a 5 percent chance of sailing as planned there. October reads 25 percent, and December 42 percent. The Rhine at Lobith also rose, from 677 to 710, though it remains at low water.
Tue, September 15, 2026
Rhine falls again at Lobith as low water holds
Rain fell over the Inn valley yesterday, 7.8 millimeters against a normal 4.3, and the Danube's chance of going as planned this week came up to 14 percent from 10. The Rhine is harder this morning: flow at Lobith fell again, and this week stands at a 1 percent chance of going as planned, with September at 11 percent. On the Rhine that usually means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship around a shallow stretch with a coach in between. October reads 27 percent there, December 63.
Mon, September 14, 2026
Rhine keeps falling at Lobith in September
The Danube came up 2 centimeters at Pfelling, and this week's chance of a sailing day going as planned edged up to 10 percent. The Rhine went the other way, with flow at Lobith down from 728 to 696 and 1 percent of this week's sailing days going as planned. Low water usually means the ship loads lighter, or you switch to a sister vessel past the shallow stretch with a coach in between. October sits at 23 percent as planned for the Rhine, December at 63.
Sun, September 13, 2026
Danube odds for this week climb to 83 percent
Rain is due in the Inn valley and along the Bavarian Danube, around 34 millimeters this week, a little above normal for September. Flow at Budapest came up overnight, and the chance of a Danube sailing day going as planned this week is now 83 percent, up from 68 yesterday. The Rhine is harder going: Kaub rose two centimeters to 25, but this week still sits at 1 percent as planned, with October at 26 percent. Low water on the Rhine usually means lighter loading or a coach ride to a sister ship.
Sat, September 12, 2026
Kaub slips to 20 centimeters on the Rhine
The Danube eased overnight. At Budapest, 68 percent of sailing days this week now go as planned, up from 42 percent yesterday. The Rhine is having a harder September: Kaub dropped 2 centimeters to 20, and the chance of a Middle Rhine day going as planned this week sits at 1 percent, which in practice usually means a ship loaded lighter or a swap to a sister vessel with a short coach ride between. Rhine river cruise water levels look better further out, at 26 percent as planned in October and 45 percent in November.
Fri, September 11, 2026
Rhine at Kaub stays in low water after small rise
The Danube's outlook for this week eased overnight, from 31 percent of sailing days going as planned to 42 percent. Kaub on the Middle Rhine came up 4 centimeters to 23, which is still low water, and this week reads 1 percent as planned, with September as a whole at 13 percent. Further out the Rhine numbers climb, to 26 percent for October and 63 percent for December. Low water on a river cruise usually means lighter loading, a swap to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach in between, or a day moved around.
Thu, September 10, 2026
Danube week rises to 31 percent chance of sailing as planned
Rain fell over the Inn valley and the Bavarian Danube yesterday, 14.7 millimeters where 2.7 is normal for the date, and the Danube's odds of going as planned this week came up to 31 percent from 11. Kaub on the Rhine read 24 centimeters this morning, down a centimeter, and the Rhine sits at 1 percent as planned for the week. Low water like that usually means the ship loads lighter, or a coach ride past the shallow stretch to a sister ship. September on the Rhine is 13 percent as planned, October 29.
Wed, September 9, 2026
Rhine at Kaub drops to 25 centimeters
The Danube's odds for this week eased overnight, from 4 percent to an 11 percent chance of sailing as planned. Rhine water levels went the other way. Kaub fell three centimeters to 25, and this week sits at a 1 percent chance of going as planned, which in practice means a ship loading lighter or a coach around the shallow stretch to a sister ship waiting above it. Further out the Rhine reads easier than the rest of September, with 52 percent as planned in November and 67 percent in December.
Tue, September 8, 2026
Rhine at Kaub slips to 29 centimeters
The Elbe at Dresden came up two centimeters, and this week reads 84 percent as planned, up from 74 yesterday. On the Rhine, Kaub dropped a centimeter to 29, and Rhine river cruise days this week sit at 1 percent as planned. That usually means lighter loading, or a swap to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach in between, rather than a canceled sailing. Rhine water levels look easier further out, with 30 percent as planned in October and 52 percent in November.
Mon, September 7, 2026
Danube drops 7 centimeters at Pfelling
Rain is due over the Inn valley and the Bavarian Danube this coming week, around 27 millimeters, a little more than September normally brings. Pfelling fell 7 centimeters overnight to 218 and the Danube is still at low water, with an 11 percent chance of a sailing day going as planned this week. Kaub came up a centimeter to 35, though Rhine water levels there leave this week at 1 percent as planned. Lines handle stretches like these by loading the ship lighter, or by coaching passengers to a sister ship past the shallow water.
Sun, September 6, 2026
Danube due above-normal rain over the next week
The Bavarian Danube is due about 37 millimeters of rain this week, against 24 in a normal one, and Pfelling came up 3 centimeters overnight. Both the Danube and the Rhine are still at low water, with a 9 percent and 4 percent chance of a sailing day going as planned this week. On a river cruise that usually means the ship carries less weight, or that passengers coach around a shallow stretch to a sister ship. Rhine water levels ease further out, at 52 percent for November.
Sat, September 5, 2026
Danube at Pfelling drops 5 cm, now 215
Rain is coming to Bavaria, with about 30 millimeters forecast for the Inn valley and the Bavarian Danube over the next seven days, a little above normal for early September. It has not arrived yet. Pfelling fell 5 centimeters overnight to 215, and this week the Danube carries a 4 percent chance of sailing as planned, up from 1 percent yesterday. On the Rhine, Maxau slipped 7 centimeters to 318, and water levels there sit at 1 percent as planned this week and 23 percent across September as a whole.
Fri, September 4, 2026
Rhine drops to low water at Maxau, down 2 cm
Rain is coming to the Bavarian Danube: 45 millimeters over the next seven days, against 27 in a normal week. The Rhine at Maxau slipped 2 centimeters overnight to 328, which puts it below the level where ships start having difficulty, and the chance of a Rhine sailing day going as planned this week sits at 1 percent. That means loading lighter, a coach transfer around a shallow stretch, or a day rearranged, and the Danube at Pfelling held steady at 222 centimeters. Further out on the Rhine, November is at 52 percent as planned and December at 67.
Thu, September 3, 2026
Rhine at Lobith climbs back above its trouble level
The Rhine came up overnight. Flow at Lobith rose from 1,121 to 1,204 cubic meters a second, which puts it back above the level where ships start having difficulty, and September's odds on a Rhine day going as planned edged up to 27 percent. The Danube is the harder one this morning. It stayed at low water at Budapest, with a 1 percent chance of a sailing day going as planned this week, which in practice means lighter loading or a swap to a sister ship past the shallow stretch with a coach in between. About 27 millimeters of rain is due in the Inn valley over the next seven days, near normal for early September.
Wed, September 2, 2026
Danube at Budapest dropped again overnight
Rhine water levels came up a touch at Lobith overnight, and this week now reads 61 percent of sailing days going as planned, against 59 percent yesterday. The Danube went the other way. Flow at Budapest fell again, and for this week the Danube stands at 1 percent as planned, which on a river cruise usually means lighter loading or a swap to a sister ship with a coach ride in between. September as a whole reads 19 percent, October 44 percent.
Tue, September 1, 2026
Danube at Budapest dropped again overnight
Rhine water levels at Lobith came up a touch overnight, and the chance of this week's Rhine sailings going as planned improved to 59 percent from 54. The Danube went the other way. Flow at Budapest fell to 1,405, low enough that the chance of a Danube day going as planned this week sits at 1 percent, which in practice tends to mean ships carrying less weight or passengers coached around a shallow stretch to a sister ship. October on the Danube reads 44 percent as planned.
Mon, August 31, 2026
Rhine week now 56 percent as planned at Kaub
The Rhine's chances for this week came up hard overnight, from 2 percent of sailing days going as planned to 56 percent. Kaub held flat at 73 centimeters, which is still low water, and September stands at 25 percent as planned. On the Danube, flow at Budapest slipped under the low water mark, and this week reads 5 percent as planned. In practice that means a ship carrying less weight, or passengers moved by coach to a sister ship past the shallow stretch.
Sun, August 30, 2026
Rhine drops below the low water mark at Maxau
The Danube came up two centimeters at Pfelling overnight, and the chance of a sailing day this week going as planned improved to 47 percent from 39. The Rhine went the other way. Maxau slipped a single centimeter to 362, enough to put the Upper Rhine below the level where ships begin carrying less weight, with 31 percent of days this week expected to go as planned. Rhine water levels ease into autumn, with October at 34 percent and November at 53.
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