News Summary
An Arctic blast is set to hit Central Texas starting Tuesday night, bringing icy temperatures and extreme cold warnings. Daytime highs will struggle to reach the lower 40s, and nighttime lows could drop to the lower 20s, with severe wind chills. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for Austin and surrounding areas. Cold weather shelters are opening to assist those in need, and energy-saving tips will be distributed as electrical demand rises. While snow flurries have already been observed, warmer temperatures are expected by the weekend.
Arctic Blast Hits Central Texas: Brace for Chill
Austin, get ready! An Arctic blast is heading our way, set to make its icy presence felt starting Tuesday night. The chilly weather is sticking around, likely hanging on until Friday or Saturday. If you thought those mild winter days were here to stay, think again!
What to Expect This Week
On Wednesday and Thursday, you’ll want to stay bundled up, as daytime highs will struggle to reach the lower 40s. That sounds a bit dreary, doesn’t it? As night falls, things will get even colder, with temperatures dropping to the lower 20s. And let’s not forget the wind! Those pesky wind chills are expected to plunge into the teens, and we might even feel like we’re in the brrr-zero zone with single-digit wind chills come Thursday morning. So, grab those heavy jackets, folks!
Weather Alerts Are in Effect
To ensure everyone’s prepared, the National Weather Service has slapped an “extreme cold warning” for the Hill Country area, while a “wind advisory” is active for Austin and Travis County. The wind advisory kicks in Tuesday night and transitions into that “extreme cold warning” by later Wednesday. With the wind howling, it’s going to feel a lot colder than it actually is!
Weekend Warming Ahead
As we look ahead to Friday, temperatures won’t bounce back too much, staying in the 30s during the day and night. There’s a chance of light rain on Friday and Saturday, with the possibility of mixed wintry precipitation as we face those freezing temperatures. Most of the action seems to favor the eastern side of Austin for higher rain chances, so keep an eye on the sky!
But don’t fret for too long; the weekend looks to be significantly warmer, with temps predicted to rise to the upper 60s by Sunday—perfect for some delightful sunshine!
Cold Weather Shelters & City Support
With this icy snap, city officials are opening cold weather shelters running from Tuesday to Thursday. If you’re in need, make sure to register between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center. And here’s some good news—CapMetro is stepping up to provide free bus rides to the cold weather shelters via specific routes, ensuring that everyone has access to a warm place.
Energy and School Closures
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is on the lookout for higher electrical demand due to the cold, issuing a “weather watch” from Wednesday to Friday. So, be prepared to see some energy-saving tips circulating as they monitor grid conditions.
And it’s not just Austin feeling the chill; North Texas is also under extreme cold warnings. With record low temperatures expected on Thursday, wind chills in that region could plummet to an astonishing -12 degrees combined with gusts up to 35 mph. Wow, that’ll make your cheeks rosy! Many schools across Texas are taking precautions by closing down or implementing delayed starts due to the freeze, keeping the kiddos cozy and safe.
Snow in Central Texas?
If you’re wondering whether Austin will resemble a winter wonderland, here’s some news: Snow flurries have already swept across parts of Central Texas! However, it’s expected that these flurries won’t disrupt road conditions too much. Some spots are even experiencing lake-effect snow, thanks to that cold air moving over warmer lakes, producing more moisture and snow.
Stay safe, Austin and Central Texas! Prepare for the cold, stay warm, and keep an eye on those weather updates as we navigate this chilly Arctic adventure together!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Central Texas Prepares for Extreme Cold Snap
Austin Prepares for Arctic Air Invasion This Week
Austin Braces for Polar Blast: Cold Weather Shelters Ready
Chilly Days Ahead for Central Texas
School Closures in Central Texas Due to Winter Weather
School Closures Due to Winter Weather in Central Texas
School Closures Due to Winter Weather in Central Texas
Central Texas Schools Cancel Classes Due to Winter Weather
Central Texas Braces for Wintry Weather
Central Texas Schools Change Schedules for MLK Day and Weather
Additional Resources
- Fox 7 Austin
- Wikipedia: Arctic Blast
- CBS News Texas
- Google Search: Extreme Cold Warning Texas
- Newsweek
- Google Scholar: Weather Impact School Closures
- San Angelo News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Extreme Weather Preparedness
- KDH News
- Google News: Texas Extreme Cold Warning
