Increased avalanche risk

White start to the week and a first serious accident

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Land Tirol Zoom.Tirol)

The week starts white, at least in the west of Austria! Not only Tyrol's mountains are covered in snow, but the roads are also snow-covered. In Zillertal, a driver lost control of his car and crashed, while in Pitztal a driver and his eleven-year-old daughter plunged into a stream bed. What's more, the state of Tyrol has even announced an increased avalanche risk!

Mother Hulda does the honors! There was snowfall on Monday not only on most of the Tyrolean mountains, but also on the Arlbergstraße, for example. Pictures from the webcam of the province of Tyrol show this.

Situational wind tire obligation
The snowy road reminds us of the upcoming (situational) winter tire requirement for cars and trucks up to 3.5 tons. It applies from November 1st. Cars may only drive in winter road conditions - i.e. snow, slush or ice - if winter tires are fitted. These should be checked beforehand. Caution: Snow chains may only be used on snow-covered roads.

The Arlberg road is covered in snow.(Bild: Land Tirol)

Winter tires should be fitted.(Bild: Land Tirol)

There is also snow on the Gerlosstraße.(Bild: Land Tirol/Webcam)

"Snow yay" is also the order of the day on the Gacher-Blick-Straße (looking towards Fließ).(Bild: Land Tirol/Webcam)

The Spisser Straße is also covered in snow.(Bild: Land Tirol/Webcam)

Serious accident in the Zillertal
It also snowed at times in the Zillertal. A driver (25) was unable to cope with the wintry conditions. At around 2.15 p.m., he left the road in a bend with his pickup in Hochfügen. The car crashed, overturned and came to rest between several trees. All emergency services were notified immediately.

The German driver, his partner (23) and his mother (58) were in the car. All three were able to free themselves from their predicament. They were taken to Schwaz Hospital with minor injuries. The vehicle was recovered in the afternoon.

The driver of the car crashed his vehicle in Hochfügen.(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

The car became stuck after the crash.(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

A vehicle crash in Pitztal also had a minor outcome. In the St. Leonhard district of Neurur, a driver (54) lost control of his vehicle in wintry conditions, causing it to plunge into a stream bed and come to rest on its roof. According to the police, the driver and his eleven-year-old daughter were able to get out of the car themselves and were uninjured.

Up to 50 centimetres of fresh snow
In the late afternoon, the state of Tyrol even spoke of a "winter onset" and the Tyrolean avalanche warning service issued a short-term increased avalanche risk for higher mountain areas. Particularly in the far west, between the Allgäu Alps in the north and the Silvretta in the south, 40 to 50 centimetres of fresh snow is falling, and locally it may be a little more.

"Caution is advised"
Towards the east and south, the amounts will gradually decrease. At the same time, strong to gale-force winds are blowing from westerly directions. "Especially now in autumn, many mountain sports enthusiasts are not yet expecting this - that's why it's important for us to provide information quickly. Large amounts of fresh snow and the strong wind are increasing the risk of avalanches, especially in the west of Tyrol. Caution is required in the short term," warns Astrid Mair, Regional Councillor for Safety.

How will the weather develop over the course of the week?
However, the onset of winter is not expected to last long. According to GeoSphere Austria, the weather should ease again over the course of the week. With foehn-like conditions, patches of cloud will alternate with sunny spells. Temperatures will rise again - up to 16 degrees possible!