Heavy snowfall is expected across Austria from Thursday to Friday, which may lead to significant traffic disruptions and possible power outages. Geosphere Austria and ASFINAG advise comprehensive winter equipment and caution on the roads.
Weather warning from Geosphere Austria: Snow will fall across most of Austria from Thursday until Friday midday. Delays on roads, rail lines, and in air travel are possible, as well as power outages. A low-pressure system over northern Italy is directing moist air toward Austria, and widespread snowfall will begin over the course of Thursday. At lower elevations, rain is still possible at times.
Heavy Snowfall Expected Across Austria
“By Thursday night at the latest, it will snow everywhere down to low elevations, at times heavily, and the focus of the snowfall will gradually shift to the eastern half of Austria—from the Vienna area through Burgenland to southern Styria and Lower Carinthia,” said meteorologist Lukas Bodinger of Geosphere Austria on Thursday. In most parts of Austria, between four and eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of fresh snow are expected by Friday morning, with higher amounts possible in isolated areas.
ASFINAG Recommends Full Winter Equipment
The new snowfall may cause delays on roads as well as in rail and air traffic. Major routes such as the Southern Motorway may also be affected, particularly at higher elevations such as the Wechsel and the Pack passes. In addition, trees may fall under the weight of snow and damage power lines.
This week also marks the end of semester break in Styria, Upper Austria, and Bavaria, while it begins in the northern provinces of the Netherlands. Significantly increased traffic is therefore expected around major ski areas. Delays should be anticipated especially at the Kufstein border crossing.
In a statement, ASFINAG urged all road users to travel only with full winter equipment and to maintain sufficient distance. Speed should be reduced and driving adjusted to winter road conditions.
Conditions Expected to Ease on Friday
According to Geosphere Austria, snowfall will subside by Friday afternoon at the latest. The situation on transportation routes should ease everywhere. However, avalanche risk remains a concern in mountainous areas over the coming days and is mostly rated as considerable to high.
Saturday will begin with severe frost, especially in eastern and southern regions. However, milder air will soon spread across Austria. Afternoon temperatures will range between 36 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 10 degrees Celsius), and on Sunday between 39 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 14 degrees Celsius).
