Austria/Germany: Winter storm kills at least seven people January 5-7 /update 1

Event

At least seven people have been killed in Austria and Germany as of Monday, January 7, after a winter storm hit the region on Saturday, January 5. In Germany, one person was killed in Wackersberg (Bavaria) and another in the Teisenberg Mountains (Berchtesgaden region). At least five people died in an avalanche in the western Austrian Alps. Avalanches were also reported in the Vorarlberg Mountains and near Salzburg. The Bavarian Avalanche Warning Service has set the avalanche danger level as "high" on the northern side of the Alps. According to the German Weather Service (DWD) the region was hit with 60 cm (24 in) of snow and an additional 20 cm (8 in) is expected in Berchtesgaden through Monday. As much as 120 cm (47 in) of fresh snow is also forecast in Austria by Thursday, January 10. 

Transportation and other disruptions have been reported in the affected areas. Many schools across Bavaria have been closed and thousands of people were stranded at resorts. On Monday, Deutsche Bahn warned the regional rail service in southern Bavaria may experience delays and cancelations. Munich Airport (MUC) canceled 120 flights on January 5; residual flight disruptions have since been reported. Further train and flight cancelations are possible in the coming days. 

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather conditions, maintain a flexible itinerary, and anticipate cold and adverse weather, power outages, and transportation disruptions (including flight and train cancelations and delays, road closures, and adverse driving conditions).