Severe storms forecast for Innsbruck and Tyrol’s Unterland

GeoSphere Austria is forecasting an increased risk of severe weather across Tyrol from Friday afternoon, with an orange thunderstorm warning for Innsbruck and Tyrol’s Unterland, ORF reports. The warning is level three out of four. Storm-force gusts, heavy rain and isolated hail are expected.

Thunderstorms are expected to move across Tyrol from late afternoon, with wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour. Storms could be particularly severe around Innsbruck and in the Bavarian border region of the Unterland, lasting well into the evening.

GeoSphere Austria said the weather situation is being driven by a low-pressure system developing over the British Isles. Tyrol is on its leading side in a southwesterly upper-level flow carrying warm, humid air towards Central Europe, where it meets a cold front over Austria.

Elmar Rizzoli, head of Tyrol’s Centre for Crisis and Disaster Management, said thunderstorms could occur in all districts, although the focus of the orange warning is the area from Innsbruck to the Unterland. Strong south föhn winds could produce storm-force gusts, while heavy rain and small hail cells are possible locally.

Rizzoli said the precise development and local impact of the storms would be difficult to assess at short notice. He urged people to follow warnings, adapt outdoor activities to the weather, secure loose objects and quickly seek shelter when thunderstorms approach.

Authorities advise residents to monitor forecasts, warnings and official information; leave streams, rivers, lakes and areas at risk of flooding; and avoid underpasses, basements and underground garages, which can fill quickly. Mountain and leisure activities should be postponed or ended early because thunderstorms can develop rapidly and bring lightning, hail and storm-force gusts.

Garden furniture, parasols, flowerpots, construction materials and other loose objects should be secured or moved to sheltered places. Windows and doors should be closed, and shutters and awnings retracted where it is safe to do so.

Drivers should reduce their speed and expect aquaplaning, poor visibility, falling branches, mudslides and local flooding. Flooded roads must not be used. Temporary power cuts are also possible.

The weather situation is expected to ease again from Saturday, according to the latest forecast.