Freezing drizzle is occurring this morning through the Hill Country and portions of the I-35 corridor. This is forecast to end late morning.
✓ Additional light glazing of ice could occur on elevated surface this morning where
temperatures are freezing. Some icy roadways, especially bridges and overpasses, still
exist from Thursday’s freezing rain.
✓ Travel could be difficult in some areas this morning. Drive with caution!
✓ Isolated to scattered power outages may continue.
Another round of freezing rain is likely through the Hill Country and portions of the I-35 corridor Saturday through Saturday night.
✓ Icy roadways, especially on bridges and overpasses, are expected.
✓ For locations in the Hill Country that don’t rise above freezing today, the ice developing Saturday could be added onto what’s already there from Friday, exacerbating issues with falling trees and scattered power outages.
✓ Travel could be difficult in some areas.
A stronger surge of cold, arctic air is forecast late Sunday into Monday.
✓ An initial mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet is forecast Sunday afternoon and evening, with
a changeover to all snow Sunday night into Monday morning.
✓ Travel will become very difficult in many areas, especially the further north you go
✓ Initial snowfall accumulation forecast calls for ½ to 3 inches of snow across the region.
Additional fluctuations to this forecast are likely.
✓ Bitterly cold air will spill into the region, with temperatures plummeting to a hard freeze
Sunday evening and not returning to above freezing for most areas until Tuesday afternoon.
✓ Low temperatures in the single digits to teens are forecast Sunday and Monday mornings.
Wind chill values could range from -10 to 10 degrees in some areas.
With the anticipated freezing temperatures, it is important to prepare.
- Keep your water pipes from freezing. Freezing pipes can bust and be very expensive to replace. It's a good idea to drip your faucets and wrap all exposed pipes. Below are some additional tips to keep in mind.
- Turn off irrigation systems
- Keep the heat turned on
- Allow faucets to drip
- Keep interior doors open
- Seal up cracks and holes
- Apply heating tape
- Add extra insulation
If you have to be outside, please wear the appropriate clothing.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing
- Wear a hat
- Try to stay dry and out of the wind
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold
- Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
It is also very important that your pets have appropriate shelter from the freezing temperatures. As part of our Animal Ordinance, we've included the animal care portion below.
Sec. 4.04.005 Animal care
(f) An animal’s owner shall provide the animal with shelter that:
(1) Is large enough for the animal to enter, stand, turnaround, and lie down in a natural manner; a structure with three sides, a roof and a floor that prevents rain or other precipitation from entering; or a structure of dome, or other, shape with a floor that provides the animal with shelter from all weather conditions;
(2) Keeps the animal dry;
(3) Provides the animal with natural or artificial shade from direct sunlight;
(4) Protects the animal from excessive heat and cold and other adverse weather conditions
(5) Is adequately ventilated; and
(6) Large livestock shall be exempted.
At 32 degrees water bowls will freeze, leaving pets without access to drinkable water
Without shelter their bodies don't keep heat efficiently from the wind and elements
Pets can go into shock, get frost bite to their exposed skin, can suffer irreversible organ failure and death
Do not leave pets in a vehicle
Protect Plants
Plants, gardens and flowerbeds should be covered to trap heat energy from the ground, according to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.
More information from Texas A&M Agrilife Extension On Protecting Plants in Freezing Weather
