Southern Germany, Austria to receive worst of European snowstorm
Hoar frost was spotted in Alpine, Texas, amid a winter storm that dropped snow and ice across the area on Jan. 2.
While disruptive snow will sweep through eastern Europe into this weekend, residents of far southern Germany and Austria will be digging out from a more significant and major snowstorm.
A burying amount of snowfall is far from unheard of across the Alps, but this snowstorm can bring major disruptions to travel and daily routines in lower elevation cities such as Munich and Rosenheim, Germany, and Linz and Salzburg, Austria.
"There will be an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of a meter (3 feet) of snow that will bury the Alps from when snow began on Thursday night into Monday," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis. "That will be great news for the ski resorts, but travel to the slopes will be extremely difficult."
Anyone traveling in the back-country should be on alert for avalanches. Skiers, snowboarders and hikers should carry the appropriate gear, including an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. Always travel in the back-country with a partner.
"Gusty winds can create near-blizzard conditions in the Alps and foothills," he added.
Conditions may get so adverse that officials close roads.
Download the free AccuWeather app to find out how much snow is anticipated in your community.
Not only will roads become clogged by the snow and difficult to navigate through, but motorists will also face dramatically reduced visibility as gusty winds whip around the snow.
While the snow continues to pile up in the foothills and mountains to the south, temperatures in Munich and neighboring lower elevation will rise enough for the snow to mix with or change to rain from Saturday night to Sunday.
That should limit how much additional snow accumulates during this period, but roads and sidewalks not yet plowed can still be slushy and slippery for a time.
A turn to all snow should follow for Sunday night into Monday, yielding an additional 2-8 cm (1-3 inches). On top of the snow, the slush already on the ground can freeze and turn icy for Monday morning as temperatures drop below freezing.
Monday night will bring another period of slush freezing and creating more treacherous travel, even after the snowstorm ends.
The combination of how much snow is anticipated and its wet nature will make shoveling extremely difficult across far southern Germany and Austria during this snowstorm. The weight of the snow, along with any rain that gets absorbed, could cause flat rooftops to fail.
The elderly and those with heart conditions are urged to seek out the assistance from others to clear driveways and sidewalks. Even residents without health issues should take frequent breaks.
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