Avalanche radar in Tweng: Safe through the winter!

Avalanche radar in Tweng: Safe through the winter!

In winter, the Tweng region is faced with a major avalanche risk again and again. For this reason, the Sprentritgalerie was built in 1968, a 300 -meter -long protective structure, which, however, is in great need of renovation, as Salzburg.orf.at . The estimated costs for the renovation amount to almost ten million euros. A possible alternative to increase security could be the installation of an avalanche radar that is currently in the test phase.

This modern avalanche radar, which, according to Gerald Valentin, is more environmentally friendly and cheaper than massive concrete structures from the state geological service in Salzburg, is seen as a groundbreaking method. It works similarly to a laser gun: it sends and receives signals, registers changes and can immediately block the road if the snow mass is impending. Such a system costs around 400,000 euros and is already successfully used in Weißbach at Lofer to monitor the Pinzgau federal road (B311).

avalanche danger levels and their meaning

The avalanche risk is assessed in Austria with the help of a five -part European danger step scale, as Schnewise.com . Each level describes the likelihood and extent of avalanches, whereby the criteria range from the trigger probability to the size and frequency of the avalanches to be expected. For example, danger level 5 describes an extraordinary avalanche situation in which very large and spontaneous avalanches can be expected that can even reach Tallagen. For winter athletes in unsecured terrain, it is advisable to do without snow sports away from the open downhill runs.

The situation varies in the other danger levels, with level 4 a very critical location in which spontaneous avalanches are likely. It is recommended to limit yourself to moderately steep terrain. Overall, these warning systems give winter sports enthusiasts valuable information on risk minimization in order to safely navigate through the winter Alpine landscapes.