NWS warns of ‘near impossible’ travel in Austin area

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for all of Central and South Texas, including the Austin and San Antonio metros, from 3 a.m. Saturday until noon on Sunday. 

Freezing rain may begin Saturday morning in the Hill Country and then spread southeast across the region by the late afternoon. Ice accumulations of 0.10 to 0.25 inches are likely, with isolated 0.25 to 0.50 inches possible in the Hill Country.

Safety tip: Avoid travel if possible. If you must drive, go slow, keep distance, and carry emergency supplies if you get stranded and always have your cell phones fully charged.

Follow along for more winter storm updates throughout Saturday.

Water inside pipes can begin to freeze once temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius). Pipes located in uninsulated or exposed areas are especially vulnerable during prolonged cold spells. To prevent pipes from freezing, adjust your thermostat to 60 degrees, set faucets to a slow, steady drip, and cover outdoor faucets.

If your internet goes down due to a power outage, texting may be the only way we can reach you with storm updates and safety tips. Sign up here, it’s totally free. If you have questions, text us, and a Statesman journalist will get back to you. While we may not be able to answer each text individually, we will do our best to answer your questions and concerns as they come up. 

Central Texas school districts and colleges are canceling weekend events as a winter storm warning takes effect. Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, Hays CISD and several others have called off Saturday and Sunday activities, with hazardous ice expected on area roads. 

School closures on Monday have not been announced as of Saturday afternoon.

See how Austin-area schools decide on winter weather closures.

Austin Community College District announced it would close all campuses starting 4 p.m. Saturday in anticipation of dangerous travel conditions. Campuses will also be closed Sunday, and determinations about potential closures next week will be shared as conditions evolve, the district said.

Patches of light freezing rain and sleet are expected through sunset Saturday, with freezing rain increasing in coverage and volume from west to east overnight, according to the latest update from the National Weather Service. Travel will be “near-impossible” and people are advised to stay off roads Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Ice weighing down trees could also cause issues this weekend, with the Hill Country and some portions of the Austin metro expected to remain in freezing conditions through midday Tuesday.

With hazardous cold forecast across Texas, experts say smart thermostat settings can help save money without risking health. The Department of Energy recommends 68 to 70 degrees in winter, while health officials warn against letting indoor temperatures drop below the mid-50s.

A wintry mix forecast for Central Texas may include freezing rain, sleet and graupel — all formed by different temperature layers in the atmosphere. Freezing rain turns to ice on contact, sleet falls as hard ice pellets, and graupel looks like soft Styrofoam-like balls. Knowing the difference helps explain why roads can become dangerous so quickly.

 11:54 a.m. — NWS warns of ‘near impossible’ travel starting late Saturday

Water inside pipes can begin to freeze once temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius). Pipes located in uninsulated or exposed areas are especially vulnerable during prolonged cold spells. To prevent pipes from freezing, adjust your thermostat to 60 degrees, set faucets to a slow, steady drip, and cover outdoor faucets.

Capital Metro, the city’s transit service, has decided to suspend all regular service on Sunday, Jan. 25 in anticipation of hazardous road conditions. The agency, which previously announced it would end service early on Saturday, said it made the decision with safety in mind for both passengers and employees.

Dottie Watkins, the agency’s president and CEO, said at a press briefing Friday morning that buses and trains would suspend service starting at 4 p.m. Saturday with the goal of getting all vehicles off the street before dark.

“Given the anticipated ice accumulation, we know that the roadways are not going to be a good place to be,” Watkins said.

CapMetro will continue to monitor conditions before making a decision about Monday service, according to the agency.

As of mid-morning Saturday, the flight tracking service FlightAware was reporting 44 outbound flight cancellations and three delays at ABIA. Inbound flights were slightly more impacted with 79 cancellations and five delays. Still, the FAA had yet to issue any ground stops or other restrictions.

ABIA’s cancellation totals paled in comparison to some other major Texas airports, particularly Dallas-Fort Worth International, which had the highest number of cancellations of any airport in the country with 682 origin cancellations and 650 destination cancellations as of 10:51 a.m.

Travis County announced its community center in Del Valle, located at 3518 FM 973 S., will serve as a warming center this weekend for anyone needing a place to escape the cold. Visitors are also able to fill a water bottle and charge electronics there.

The center will be open on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What many described as a madhouse earlier this week had quieted to a near ghost town by Saturday morning.

At the H-E-B at South Congress and Oltorf streets, employees outnumbered customers on the sales floor as stockers worked through the morning to replenish decimated shelves — lingering evidence of the week’s mass stockpiling. Fresh sushi was nearly nonexistent and rotisserie chickens were sparse. 

The few customers that were in the aisles at the South Congress location walked with purpose, carrying a basket rather than pushing a cart. It seemed many of these folks were here for a brief trip.

Joseph Shiveley, 26, and Pablo Ramirez, 28, said they stocked up on shelf-stable soups and sausages.

“We have a fireplace, so if the power goes out we can roast them,” Shiveley said. “That’s the main concern, the power going out.”

The pair live off of South Lamar Boulevard, and said they weren’t too concerned about conditions this morning, especially since Shiveley is from the northern part of the U.S.

It’s crucial to take proactive steps before a deep freeze hits. Remember five steps: place rock salt, drip faucets, check cars, prepare emergency kits and safety plans, and think ahead for pets.

A cold front will move through Central Texas on Saturday, bringing a round of soaking rain before temperatures slowly fall. Once readings reach 32 degrees, rain will transition to freezing rain, first in the Hill Country, then spreading south through the Austin area and beyond.

Here’s when freezing temperatures are estimated to reach the following cities:

• Fredericksburg:Around 8 a.m.
• Round Rock: Around 11 a.m.
• Austin: Between 3 and 5 p.m.
• Kyle/San Marcos: Around 5 p.m.
• Bastrop: Around 7 p.m.

Many Texans recall the deadly blackouts that coincided with a deep freeze in February 2021. But the statewide grid operator has responded to these fears with confidence in its preparations.

ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch through Monday, Jan. 27, “due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves,” per a Jan. 21 news release. The operator said it expected normal grid conditions during the watch.

For regular updates, ERCOT suggests subscribing to TXANS notifications and following its official social media channels.

Read more: See Texas power outage map as arctic blast brings ice, snow and freezing temps

Its important to evaluate road conditions if you must travel. As temperatures plunge, road conditions may deteriorate and become dangerous — especially with the formation of black ice.

Read more: Winter weather hits Texas: See live TxDOT maps of road conditions, closures