Austrian Motorways Gridlocked by Unexpected Snowstorm
A sudden and heavy snowstorm brought travel across Austria to a standstill this past Sunday, causing notable disruptions for holiday travelers. The Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club (ÖAMTC) reported widespread closures and significant delays on major roadways.
The ÖAMTC issued a statement on Sunday afternoon,stating,”Due to the heavy snow,several connections in Tyrol and Salzburg had to be closed without notice for snow clearing,including the Brenner motorway (A13) towards Brenner. Due to the difficult driving conditions, traffic and traffic are currently at a standstill in front of snow clearing barriers on several routes.”
The unexpected snowfall caused significant backups on the brenner motorway (A13), a key route connecting Austria and Italy.Drivers reported being stuck for hours as crews worked to clear the roads. The situation mirrored similar weather-related traffic jams experienced in the U.S. during severe winter storms, highlighting the challenges posed by unexpected heavy snowfall on major transportation arteries.
Even the Tauern Autobahn (A10), another major Austrian highway, experienced significant delays. Travelers faced approximately a 90-minute wait near construction sites in the tunnel between Golling and Werfen. This underscores the compounding effect of pre-existing roadwork and sudden severe weather conditions.
For those planning travel in the region, or for anyone curious about current conditions, the ÖAMTC provides real-time traffic updates through several channels. Drivers can access up-to-the-minute facts via their website: https://www.oeamtc.at/verkehrsservice, or utilize their complete route planner for all modes of transport: https://www.oeamtc.at/routenplaner/. The ÖAMTC also offers a mobile app with real-time traffic information: www.oeamtc.at/apps.
The unexpected severity of the snowstorm serves as a reminder of the importance of checking weather forecasts and road conditions before embarking on any significant journey, whether domestically within the U.S.or internationally.
Were there any road closures due to heavy snowstorm in Austria?
Yes, according to teh provided article [[1]], heavy snowfall caused several road closures in Austria, particularly in Tyrol adn Salzburg. The Brenner motorway (A13) towards Brenner was closed without notice for snow clearing. The OeAMTC also reported that several routes had traffic fully stopped at snow clearing barriers.
Besides the Brenner motorway, which other major highways in Austria experienced delays?
The article [[1]] mentions that the Tauern Autobahn (A10) also experienced significant delays.Travelers faced a wait of about 90 minutes near construction sites in the tunnel between Golling and Werfen.
What resources are available for peopel wanting to check road conditions in Austria?
The article [[1]] lists several resources for checking real-time traffic updates in Austria:
Website: https://www.oeamtc.at/verkehrsservice
Route planner: https://www.oeamtc.at/routenplaner/
* Mobile app: www.oeamtc.at/apps
