Heavy snowfall pushed in from the west overnight into Monday, bringing road closures, crashes and long queues in parts of Austria and raising avalanche danger in the west, as reported by ORF.
In Tirol, the new snow front hit during the morning rush hour. In parts of the province, avalanche danger reached warning level four out of five, the second-highest level.
Two snowboarders died in an avalanche on Sunday on the Stubai Glacier. Snowfall also surprised commuters in Vienna and Lower Austria, where warnings were issued for icy roads.
READ ALSO: Avalanches in Austria: What you should know to stay safe in the mountains
Road closures and delays in Tirol
The new snow caused disruption early on Monday, with drivers facing difficult conditions during the morning commute. Traffic jams and crashes were reported as snow continued to fall.
In Tirol, the Inntal motorway (A12) was briefly closed in the Oberland area near the tunnels by Zams and Landeck. The Fernpass road (B179) was also temporarily shut after lorries got stuck.
As the morning went on, the situation eased. The closures were lifted later in the day.
Even with roads reopened, the conditions remained challenging for drivers in the west. Snowfall and slippery surfaces continued to affect traffic.
READ ALSO: What drivers in Austria must do this winter to stay safe and avoid expensive fines
Avalanche danger rises to level four in parts of Tirol
Avalanche conditions in Tirol were already difficult because of older snow layers. Fresh snow over the weekend, followed by new snow on Monday, raised the danger.
In parts of the province, the avalanche warning level rose to 4 on a 5-point scale. The affected areas included the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps, the Verwall group and the Silvretta range.
A “high danger” warning was also issued for the Mieming Mountains and the western Karwendel Mountains. The situation was expected to remain dangerous in the coming days.
The avalanche warning service recommended extreme restraint in open terrain. If people do go off-piste, descents should be limited to moderately steep terrain.
Two snowboarders killed on Stubai Glacier
Two 37-year-old snowboarders were killed in an avalanche on Sunday on the Stubai Glacier. The avalanche debris was discovered at an altitude of 2,115 metres.
Mobile phone tracking and drone images were used to identify the avalanche cone. The two winter sports enthusiasts were later located in the evening using an avalanche transceiver.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies during the operation. A photo from the scene showed the scale of the debris.
On the same day, a 19-year-old was caught in an avalanche on the Arlberg and seriously injured.
READ ALSO: How to stay safe during the ski season in Austria
Vorarlberg also facing high risk above 2,000 metres
Vorarlberg also saw substantial fresh snowfall, and the avalanche danger rose there too. Above 2,000 metres, warning level four was in place on Monday. Strong winds shifted snow into drifts. The avalanche warning service said this wind-blown snow currently posed the greatest risk.
This kind of drifted snow can create unstable slabs, making conditions unpredictable even when the weather appears calmer.
With more snow forecast, the risk in higher areas is likely to remain elevated. People planning tours or off-piste descents were urged to be cautious.
Snowfall and ice warnings in the east
Snow also reached the east, with Vienna and Lower Austria hit by heavy snowfall on Monday. The Lower Austrian road service warned drivers about icy roads.
In the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald), snow drifts were also possible. Conditions can shift quickly on higher roads and exposed stretches.
Further east, freezing rain was expected overnight into Tuesday. That increases the risk of ice forming even in areas with lighter snowfall.
Weather forecasters also expected more precipitation on the northern side of the Alps. Snow and ice were a particular concern in parts of Flachgau and Upper Austria.
Train derails in Switzerland as storms continue
In neighbouring Switzerland, heavy snowfall caused serious disruption. A train derailed in the canton of Valais, and several people were injured.
During the rescue operation, 30 people were brought off the train. Police said there was a lot of snow at the site. A police spokesperson could not confirm whether the snow masses came from an avalanche. The stretch is in an area facing high avalanche danger.
The rail operator BLS said a landslide blocked the route between Goppenstein and Brig. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) said the disruption was expected to last until at least Tuesday morning.
READ ALSO: Do you have to wear a helmet by law when skiing in Austria?
Key vocabulary
die Schneefront – snow front (weather front bringing snow)
die Straßensperre – road closure
die Lawinenwarnstufe – avalanche warning level
die Lawine – avalanche
die Eisglätte – icy conditions / black ice risk
der Lawinenwarndienst – avalanche warning service
Comments