Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc in Central Texas

News Summary

Central Texas is experiencing a winter storm, blanketing the area in snow and causing hazardous road conditions. A hard freeze warning is in effect as temperatures drop. Residents are advised to take precautions for the cold, and schools have announced operational changes due to the weather. A Winter Storm Warning is issued for the upcoming week with anticipated snow, while the city prepares cold weather shelters for those in need.

Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc in Central Texas

It’s a winter wonderland out there in Central Texas! On Tuesday morning, residents woke up to a blanket of snow covering the ground, transforming the area into a picturesque snowy landscape. Many neighborhoods experienced a coating of snow or even more, creating beautiful sights but also some slippery situations on the roads.

Roads and Travel Advisory

Early in the day, the roads were quite slick, making travel a bit precarious for those who ventured out. However, as the sun came out and temperatures crept above freezing, conditions improved significantly by the afternoon, allowing for safer passage across the city. Despite this, a hard freeze warning was issued for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, making it important to stay aware and cautious.

As night fell, the temperature was expected to plummet well below freezing, increasing the risk of wet spots refreezing into dangerous black ice on the roads. The elevated roadways are particularly vulnerable, and drivers are urged to exercise extra care when traveling. On Wednesday morning, temperatures were set to dip into the upper teens to lower 20s, so bundling up and keeping warm is essential.

Precautions for Residents

Residents are advised to take hard freeze precautions through Wednesday morning. Remember to safeguard the four P’s: people, pets, pipes, and plants. As temperatures hover around these frigid figures, it is crucial to keep everyone and everything warm and protected against the cold.

A Cold Weather Advisory is currently in place for the entire KVUE area until noon on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of staying alert to changing conditions. While the sunshine is expected to help warm things up a tad on Wednesday, “feels like” temperatures are predicted to remain in the teens across Central Texas.

Looking Ahead: Warmth and More Warnings

In promising news, the weather is expected to warm up significantly with no further wintry precipitation or hard freezes anticipated through the rest of the week and into the weekend. A Winter Storm Warning was also issued for the region from 6 PM on January 20 to 6 PM on January 21, predicting snow and sleet that could disrupt travel overnight. During this period, a significant snow event with snow totals of 1 to 2 inches is expected across the Austin area, while the Hill Country may see lesser amounts, given limited moisture.

Impact on Schools and Community Events

Due to the weather conditions, school districts in Central Texas have announced operational changes for January 22, responding to the winter weather and freezing temperatures. Additionally, celebrations for MLK Day in Austin and surrounding areas have been canceled or postponed due to the adverse conditions.

The weather setup is largely influenced by a polar vortex affecting the United States, which is projected to bring more cold and potential snow to the area starting Monday evening. Wind chills could range from the teens to low 20s, and in some elevated areas, single-digit wind chills aren’t off the table.

A Warm-Up on the Horizon

As the week progresses, a hard freeze is expected again Tuesday night into Wednesday morning before temperatures rise into the low 40s during the day on Wednesday. Highs are forecasted to reach the low 50s by Thursday afternoon, with further warming into the upper 50s by Friday. So while it’s chilly now, there’s a lovely warm-up just around the corner!

Looking at longer term forecasts, Central Texas is anticipated to experience slightly below-normal to near-normal temperatures as January wraps up. However, this bout of winter weather is expected to cause some delays or cancellations, particularly at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, impacting flights from Monday to Wednesday, especially for international carriers.

In the meantime, the city of Austin is doing its part to keep the community safe by opening cold weather shelters that will remain accessible through at least Wednesday night, ensuring those in need have a warm place to stay.

So, stay safe, stay warm, and let’s hope this winter weather passes soon!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Central Texas Schools Close Amidst Unusual Winter Storm
Texas: A Booming Hub for Startups
Austin Faces Tragic Crashes as Winter Weather Looms
School Closures in Central Texas Due to Winter Weather
Record-Breaking Applications at University of Texas at Austin for 2024 Admissions
School Closures Due to Winter Weather in Central Texas
School Closures Due to Winter Weather in Central Texas
President Resigns from University of Texas at Austin
Central Texas Schools Cancel Classes Due to Winter Weather
Central Texas Braces for Wintry Weather

Additional Resources

Author: HERE Austin

HERE Austin

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