Texas braces for freezing weather
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
A blast of arctic air is barreling toward Texas this weekend, raising the risk of snow, ice and freezing rain and prompting Gov. Greg Abbott to activate state emergency response resources.
Why it matters: Even modest ice accumulation can make roads dangerous, disrupt travel and strain the power grid — concerns that remain high in Texas nearly five years after the 2021 winter storm.
Zoom in: As of Wednesday, National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio forecasters say the the Hill Country into the I-35 corridor is most likely to experience the highest potential for ice accumulation from early Saturday through Sunday. There's a 40-60% chance of at least 0.10" of ice then.
- Cold temperatures will arrive in the Austin area overnight Friday and highs on Saturday will stay in the 30s, forecasters say. Wind and possible precipitation could arrive overnight Saturday, with the coldest wind chills expected Saturday through Monday morning.
- Exact ice amounts, onset and ending times, and the duration of freezing temperatures are still an estimate. Forecasters encouraged residents to continue to monitor the forecast.
The Texas Department of Transportation began treating some roads with brine solution yesterday.
- Airlines like Delta and American are allowing customers with existing bookings to reschedule their travel with no fees, including those out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Between the lines: This cold snap will not be nearly as frigid as the winter storm of 2021, which left millions of Texans without power for days. At least 200 deaths have been attributed to the freeze.
- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, said this week that they anticipate ample supply to meet demand this weekend.
Zoom out: Snow, freezing rain and sleet are possible from parts of New Mexico and Texas all the way east to Georgia and north to New England.
- Nearly 40 million Americans are under a winter storm watch as of Wednesday morning — a number that will likely climb into the weekend.
- Some areas that don't usually see huge snowfalls could get walloped, with some of the latest model runs calling for over a foot of snow in parts of Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.
Go deeper: How to prepare for freezing temperatures in Texas