Accidents, Avalanches, and More

Spring in the Snow: Accidents, Snow Chains, Avalanche Danger

Vehicles also kept getting stuck on the B181 Achenseestraße.(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

The weather has taken a turn for the worse! Winter has fully set in across western Austria as of Thursday. In Tyrol, for example, there have already been several accidents and road closures. Snow chains have been mandatory on some routes since early this morning. And in the mountains, the avalanche situation is worsening—warning level 4 out of 5 is in effect in many areas!

Snowfall all the way down to the valley! The meteorologists’ forecasts came true. In Innsbruck, too, there was still heavy snowfall at times on Thursday morning and even around noon. While there haven’t been any major traffic delays in the greater Innsbruck area yet, poor visibility has already caused traffic to move more slowly than usual in some places—especially on the highway.

Snow removal crews in “full swing”
Speaking of traffic: Many major routes looked distinctly wintry on Thursday. On the Brenner Highway, however, traffic was moving smoothly—partly because Asfinag had prepared for the onset of winter and the snow removal crews were in “full swing.”

More photos of the onset of winter:

+2

Fotos

Snow chains required on the Arlberg, for example
Winter-like conditions also prevailed on the B179 Fernpass Road, the B177 Seefelder Road, the B178 Loferer Road, and at Pass Thurn. Snow chains were mandatory on the Arlberg Pass between Tyrol and Vorarlberg and on the L207 Hintersteiner See Road between Scheffau and Lake Hinterstein. Later, the L4 Brandenberger Straße between Kramsach and Brandenberg was also added to the list.

The B181 Achenseestraße and the L7 Kasbachstraße had to be closed intermittently. According to the state traffic department, vehicles kept getting stuck there. Trucks and buses had to put on chains to continue. Reports of heavy vehicles getting stuck were also received on the Fernpass route.

Snow chains are mandatory on the Arlberg Pass.(Bild: Land Tirol (Webcam))

Cars ended up in the ditch
In some cases, the winter conditions have already led to accidents. For example, on the B178 Loferer Straße near Waidring—where two cars are said to have ended up in the ditch. An accident was also reported in Flirsch on the Stanzertalstraße.

An accident also occurred on the Fern Pass road on Thursday morning. An accident involving a truck was reported near Musau.

Road closure due to avalanche danger
According to the traffic police, the B198 Lechtalstraße in the Außerfern region between Bach and Stockach had to be closed on Thursday due to avalanche danger. The L25 Defereggentalstraße in East Tyrol between Erlsbach and the Staller Sattel border crossing also had to be closed—“due to snow drifts,” as reported.

Fernpass Road near Musau.(Bild: Land Tirol (Webcam), Krone KREATIV)

Up to 75 centimeters of fresh snow in the mountains
Up to 75 centimeters of fresh snow is expected to fall on Tyrol’s mountains by Friday. In low-lying areas, there could still be up to 40 centimeters here and there. GeoSphere Austria has therefore issued an “orange” snow warning for the regions north of the Inn Valley (warning level 3 out of 4) and a “yellow” snow warning for the rest of North Tyrol (warning level 2 out of 4) through Friday.

Avalanche warning level four out of five
After the past few days were characterized by low to moderate avalanche danger, the risk is now rising sharply again. “The reason for this is the current combination of heavy snowfall, wind, and a weak snowpack structure,” explains Christoph Mitterer from the Tyrol State Avalanche Warning Service.

Avalanche warning level 4 (red) is in effect in many regions.(Bild: Lawinenwarndienst Tirol)

The Avalanche Warning Service has already issued an avalanche danger level 4—high avalanche danger—for Thursday in the Tux Alps, Zillertal Alps, and Hohe Tauern regions. In these regions, numerous spontaneous avalanches are expected above the tree line. “It is advised to avoid steep slopes away from secured trails in these regions. Additionally, the runout zones of spontaneous avalanches should be avoided,” say the experts.

Avalanche danger level 4 has since been extended to the regions of the Eastern Allgäu Alps and the Western Lechtal Alps.

In all other parts of Tyrol, avalanche danger level 3—significant danger—prevails above the tree line. In these regions as well, tours and off-piste runs should be carefully planned, and caution should be exercised away from secured slopes.

Storm warning for southern Austria
In East Tyrol and southern Austria, conditions could become very stormy on Thursday and Friday. GeoSphere Austria has issued an orange storm warning (warning level 3 out of 4) for the Lienz district. 

Strong winds could pose a danger, particularly near trees—including in forests, parks, or tree-lined avenues—according to Elmar Rizzoli, head of the Tyrolean Center for Crisis and Disaster Management. In some cases, power outages may also occur. Strong gusts of wind are also possible, especially in the mountains.