Austria braces for heavy snowfall with travel chaos expected by Friday
Heavy snowfall is set to sweep across Austria from Thursday, bringing up to 20 centimetres of fresh snow in many areas. The weather will likely cause widespread disruption, affecting roads, railways and airports. Authorities are warning residents and travellers to prepare for difficult conditions over the next two days.
The snow is expected to start on Thursday and continue through Friday afternoon. Most regions will see between 10 and 20 centimetres, with mountainous areas likely to receive even more. By Friday evening, the snowfall should ease, but the risk of avalanches will stay high in alpine zones.
Major routes, including the Südautobahn (A2), could face long delays as snow builds up. Border crossings, especially at Kufstein, may also see significant hold-ups. Trees and power lines might collapse under the weight of the snow, leading to possible outages in some areas.
With school holidays ending, traffic around ski resorts is expected to be busier than usual. So far, none of Austria's largest resorts have reported closures due to the weather. However, Geosphere Austria and Asfinag are advising all drivers to fit winter tyres, carry emergency supplies, and drive carefully.
After the snow, severe frost will grip eastern and southern regions on Saturday. Conditions should improve by Sunday as milder air moves in from the west.
The snowfall will likely disrupt travel and daily life across Austria until Friday. Residents are being urged to check road conditions before setting out and to expect possible delays. While ski resorts remain open, the avalanche risk in the mountains will stay elevated for days after the snow stops.
