Heavy snowfall and stormy winds caused traffic chaos in western Hungary on Friday morning. Meteorological service HungaroMet issued an orange alert for several counties. The region around Sopron was particularly affected, where the border with Austria had to be closed.
A severe winter storm is keeping the western counties of Győr-Moson-Sopron, Vas, and Zala on tenterhooks. With wind speeds of 60-75 km/h, the storm is sweeping across the fresh snow and piling up meter-high snowdrifts. In the most severely affected regions, over 20 centimeters of fresh snow is expected within 24 hours.
The National Directorate General for Disaster Management (OKF) has issued an urgent advisory to the public:
- Avoid traveling by car in the affected areas unless it is absolutely essential.
- If travel by car is unavoidable, be prepared for severely reduced visibility and sections of roads that may be impassable.
Road conditions between Sopron and Harka on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
Road conditions in Sopron on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
The situation is particularly critical in Sopron and the surrounding area. Mayor Ciprián Farkas convened the “local defense committee” and declared that the city was facing “snowfall on a scale not seen in a long time.”
As the weather situation in Austria is equally precarious, the border crossing between Sopron and Klingenbach has been closed to traffic.
The main square in Sopron on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
The fire tower in Sopron on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
Snow in Sopron on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
Near Beled (road 8612), two trucks slid into a ditch and blocked the entire roadway. Numerous other vehicles got stuck between Lövő and Röjtökmuzsaj. The heavy snow load caused numerous trees and branches to fall, crashing onto sidewalks, roads, and parked cars.
The winter outbreak has also brought local public transport to a virtual standstill.
The Volánbusz (bus service) lines in Győr-Moson-Sopron County are experiencing delays of up to 50 minutes. Many towns, including Fertőrákos, Brennbergbánya, and Ágfalva, cannot be reached at present.
Snow in Harka (7 km from Sopron) on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
Snow in Harka (7 km from Sopron) on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
Snow in Harka (7 km from Sopron) on February 20, 2026. Photo: Hungary Today
The Raaberbahn (GYSEV) reports massive disruptions, train cancellations, and significant delays across its entire network.
Meteorologists predict snowfall in western areas will gradually ease off in the afternoon
before the weather system moves further south and into the area between the Danube and Tisza rivers. However, the risk of snow drifts will remain until late into the night due to the continuing strong winds.
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Via MTI, Featured image: Hungary Today
The post Winter Strikes Western Hungary: Orange Alert due to Heavy Snowfall and Storms appeared first on Hungary Today.
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