Fresh snow in Tyrol

Great avalanche danger, truck dosage for highways

There was no major snow chaos this time (archive photo).

(Bild: P. Huber)

Fresh snow of up to 80 centimetres at higher altitudes is causing a major avalanche risk on the mountains. Despite the snowfall, traffic flowed smoothly on Tyrol's freeways thanks to a truck dosage and other measures. There was no chaos like two weeks ago.

Despite the fresh snow, traffic on Tyrol's roads was kept flowing without any significant delays. Measures taken by Asfinag or the police on the Inntal and Brenner highways were effective, according to the state of Tyrol. A truck metering system near Kufstein and checks along the feeder roads ensured traffic flow on the Brenner corridor. This was in operation from 5 am. Only 100 trucks per hour were allowed to pass the counting point in Kufstein.

In view of the current intensity of precipitation and the good road conditions, some measures could be withdrawn in the course of the morning, but the situation will continue to be monitored throughout the day due to further snowfall.

Bernhard Knapp, Leiter der Verkehrsabteilung des Landes Tirol

Good traffic flow on freeways
Transport Minister René Zumtobel commented: "The action plan discussed last week between the freeway operator ASFINAG, the police and the province of Tyrol in the event of extreme snowfall on the Brenner Pass has passed its first test." The goal was achieved and traffic flow was "ensured at all times".

The situation has been closely monitored in order to react with further measures if necessary. "In view of the current intensity of precipitation and the good road conditions, some measures could be withdrawn in the course of the morning, but the situation will continue to be monitored throughout the day due to further snowfall," reports Bernhard Knapp, head of the state's traffic department.

After the large amounts of fresh snow, we must expect an increase in avalanches in the coming days.

LR Astrid Mair

Bild: Johanna Birbaumer

Road closures nevertheless 
While the situation on the highways was relaxed, road closures still had to be set up in some regions. The avalanche commissions are constantly assessing the situation in order to decide how to proceed with the road closures. Here is an overview:

• The Ötztal road between Zwieselstein and Obergurgl
• The Venter Straße between Zwieselstein and Vent
• The Ranalter Landesstraße between Ranalt and Mutterbergalm.

Avalanche danger increases enormously
Due to the fresh snowfall of up to 80 centimeters, the avalanche warning service of the province of Tyrol has issued avalanche danger level 4 (high avalanche danger) for the southern Ötztal Alps. In other parts there is considerable avalanche danger (level 3). The province therefore calls for extreme caution and restraint.

"After the large amounts of fresh snow, we have to expect that there will be more avalanches in the coming days," explains Provincial Councillor Astrid Mair and Patrick Nairz, Head of the Provincial Avalanche Warning Service, adds: "Especially in spring, small changes in the weather have a big impact on the avalanche danger."