Red warning level: snow warning for East Tyrol, rail traffic is interrupted

Ein Mann beim Schneeschaufeln in Lienz. Für Osttirol sind starke Schneefälle vorhergesagt.

© APA/EXPA/Groder

Lienz, Innsbruck – Winter is coming on Friday in full force: the warning center of the Tyrolean state has taken appropriate precautionary measures, especially for East Tyrol, due to the forecast of large amounts of snow and storms in the mountains.

According to the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) and the Severe Climate Center, the highest amounts of precipitation will fall in eastern Tyrol and the Tyrolean Alpine range area.

Helicopters in and around East Tyrol on standby

Among other things, several helicopters have been prepared for reconnaissance and emergency flights, the country announced. Roadblocks have not been ruled out, there will be a great danger of avalanches from Saturday.

“The state helicopter will move to East Tyrol over the weekend, a second Vienna police helicopter will be stationed in Innsbruck. In addition, a Federal Army Alouette III helicopter is available in Schwaz,” explained the head of the alert center. state, Marcel Innerkofler. In addition, two more military helicopters have been flown to Klagenfurt.

Up to two meters of snow in the mountains

In East Tyrol, according to meteorologists, there is sometimes more than a meter of snow in the valleys, the amounts are even more abundant in the mountains: up to two meters of fresh snow could gather here from Friday to Sunday evening.

Large amounts of snow and rain can cause problems on Fridays and weekends due to falling trees and small-scale flooding, especially in East Tyrol and North Tyrol in the area of ​​the main alpine range (Ötztal , Stubaital, Brenner, Wipptal, Zillertal rear).

Die Wetterwarnung der ZAMG für das Wochenende.

© ZAMG

Roadblocks and blackouts are possible. The foehn storm can also cause problems during the weekend. According to calculations, it reaches more than 100 km / h in the mountains and can also go through the valleys on the north side of the Alps, at around 70 to 100 km / h.

Rail traffic will be interrupted in East Tyrol and on the Tauern line

Due to the forecast of rainfall, train service between Lienz and San Candido / Innichen will be suspended, as well as between Spittal and Schwarzach-St. Veit. The closings begin at 5 pm on Friday and last until Monday inclusive, a replacement train service is established. It is not recommended to travel in and through the storm area which is not absolutely necessary.

Association of most trained emergency physicians in East Tyrol

Due to the weather, the association of emergency physicians in East Tyrol will activate additional footholds from Friday evening: in the event of road closures, properly equipped emergency medics are on standby in Defereggental, Villgratental, Pustertal and Tyrolean Gailtal and are in constant contact with community emergency services and emergency services.

In the valleys supplied by the association, practices at St. Jakob i. D., Auservillgraten and Obertilliach permanently occupied. An emergency doctor from the association is on duty in Pustertal. When the weather calms down, the association will return to regular supply.

Warning against staying in the forest and terrain

“Snow, even in large quantities, is not unusual in Tyrol. We can handle it. The road maintenance departments in the Lienz and North Tyrol districts are prepared for the anticipated snowfall,” emphasized State Deputy Governor Josef Geisler (ÖVP). Roadblocks are not excluded, so Geisler, who appealed to give up sports activities in the forest and in the field.

Precautions have also been taken in the Lienz district itself. Dialysis patients were transferred to the hospital from remote areas as a precaution, and police forces were transferred to the side valleys so that authorities could already be on site in case of roadblocks.

Great danger of avalanches in the south of the country

Meanwhile, Rudi Mair, the head of the avalanche warning service, spoke of a marked increase in avalanche danger in the southern parts of the country: “We are expecting numerous avalanches of sliding snow on steep grassy slopes.”

“Also, very large slab avalanches are to be expected, especially from shady and steep slopes above the treeline.” Tree breaks and falls were expected, so staying in the forest should be avoided at all costs.

Storm foehn on friday

On Friday there is a stormy southern foehn across the north side of the Alps, which in some valleys brings strong gusts of wind of 80 to 100 km / h. With temporary sunshine, temperatures rise to eleven degrees.

In the afternoon, the foehn ends west of Innsbruck, at the same time as snow falls in East Tyrol and Upper Carinthia. On Saturday night this is getting more intense.

Heavy snow storm

On Saturdays and Sundays, it snows heavily in East Tyrol and Upper Carinthia and sometimes with a thunderstorm. The snow line in East Tyrol is still in the valleys, but the snow is getting wetter and wetter at lower altitudes.

“On Sunday, the rain sometimes mixes below 1,000 meters,” predicts Manfred Spatzierer, a meteorologist at the Severe Weather Center.

Some snow in the west

It also snows heavily in the main Alpine ridge and some fresh snow can also be expected in the Tyrolean Oberland and Ausserfern with the arrival of a cold front. The snow line is on the north side of the Alps between the valley and about 1500 meters.

Generous amounts

In total, 250 to 350 liters per square meter can be expected in East Tyrol and Upper Carinthia from Friday night to Sunday night. On the mountain more than 2 meters of fresh snow collects which, in combination with the strong wind, carries a high risk of avalanches. (TT.com)

© Ubiment