The precipitation which was forecast by the ZAMG Weather Service has arrived. In the regions along the Main Alpine Ridge from the southern Ötztal Alps eastwards and in East Tirol, 50 to 80 cm of fresh snow have frequently been registered. In southern East Tirol there was generally about 100 cm of fresh snow registered.
 |
| To date, most of the precipitation has fallen in southern East Tirol. |
Hand in hand with the snowfall, avalanche danger has increased. The main peril occurs in the regions where snowfall has been heavy through gliding snow masses over steep, smooth surfaces. In general, these are steep grass-covered slopes.
 |
| Roads are threatened by gliding snow masses over steep grassy slopes. Sillian (Photo: 13.11.2019). |
Some roads were closed as a precaution. One small glide-snow avalanche covered the road into Obernbergtal on 13 November, but no one was buried.
Caution is also urged beneath steep house roofs, where snow masses can slide off and endanger persons.
 |
| Conditions like in deep winter, below Zettersfeld near Lienz in East Tirol (Photo: 13.11.2019) |
 |
| Lots of fresh fallen snow, also in rear Zillertal (Photo: 13.11.2019) |
Above the timberline in the regions where snowfall has been heaviest, caution is also urged towards fresh snowdrift accumulations in very steep terrain. Size and frequency of the snowdrift accumulations are expected to increase with the rising winds which will soon intensify. The snowdrift problem needs particular attentiveness from backcountry skiers and freeriders who intend to take advantage of the improved weather on 14 November for activities in outlying terrain.
Apart from potential avalanche dangers there are other problems in the form of power outages and falling trees.
 |
| Heavy snow burdens and toppling trees have caused damage to some power lines. Sillian. (Photo: 13.11.2019) |
 |
| Snow burdens the trees in southern East Tirol (Photo: 13.11.2019) |
What’s next: Weather conditions will improve onThursday, 13 November, the wind will shift from northerly to southerly and on Thursday night will reach storm strength. Once again, intensive snowfall with similar focal points is anticipated. The same thing applies to Sunday, 17 November: a third bout of precipitation in the selfsame southern air current is anticipated. Avalanche danger will continue to increase a further notch. The glide-snow problem will become more threatening. Slab avalanches will also become more likely.
On 14 November, the blog will be updated again.
