Austin Prepares for Weekend Ice Storm and Extreme Cold
As Central Texas braces for a potentially dangerous winter storm this weekend, city and county officials, utilities, and emergency services are mobilizing comprehensive preparations to protect residents from freezing rain, sleet, and dangerously cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Travis, Hays and Williamson counties starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday and lasting through Sunday at noon, with temperatures expected to dip into the teens and low 20s and wind chills potentially feeling like single digits.
City and County Response
The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategies and Operations is activating cold weather shelters starting Friday night at 6 p.m., with the capacity to accommodate up to 750 people. Registration will occur at One Texas Center on Barton Springs Road, and CapMetro will provide free rides to Austinites needing to get to the shelter check-in. Austin libraries and recreation centers will also serve as warming centers during the freeze.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson took to social media Thursday to explain what the city is doing to prepare for what may occur.
Travis County emergency management officials are monitoring conditions and coordinating with community organizations to ensure vulnerable populations have access to shelter and resources throughout the weekend.
Today, I'm signing a Disaster Declaration in anticipation of the winter storms headed our way this weekend. Please remember to protect the four P’s: People, pets, plants and pipes.
— Travis County Judge Andy Brown (@TravisCoJudge) January 22, 2026
Sign up for local weather alerts at https://t.co/JJC39GKRI1 📲 pic.twitter.com/30DqWNX6Qu
Power Grid and Utilities
Austin Energy General Manager Stuart Reilly assured City Council members that forecasts don’t suggest a risk of widespread outages on the Austin grid, though the utility continues monitoring conditions and has critical supplies ready to restore power if needed. At the state level, Governor Greg Abbott declared that ERCOT “has never been stronger, never been more prepared” and is “fully capable of handling this winter storm”.
Transportation and Roads
The Texas Department of Transportation has deployed more than 5,000 personnel and hundreds of vehicles statewide to pre-treat roadways and respond to accidents. Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department pre-treated more than 30 bridges and elevated roadways to reduce ice accumulation, while TxDOT pre-treated all major highways receiving high traffic volumes.
Airport Operations
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is prepared for the storm, having purchased additional snow and ice removal equipment after Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Several airport employees will sleep on-site during the event to keep runways, roadways, and walkways clear. Airlines are offering flexible rebooking options for passengers whose travel plans may be affected.
✈️ Traffic Report: Strong 🌬️ could affect flights at @JFKairport, @LGAairport, @EWRairport, @PHLAirport, @Reagan_Airport, @Dulles_Airport and @BWI_Airport. PM ⛈️ may cause delays at @iflymia and @FLLFlyer. Low ☁️ forecast at @iah, @HobbyAirport, @SATairport and @AustinAirport. ❄️… pic.twitter.com/qsu1CLtJjA
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 22, 2026
Parks & Recreation
Due to expected winter weather, Austin Parks and Recreation is adjusting operations at various facilities beginning this Fri., Jan. 23 & continuing through the weekend. Get complete details at: https://t.co/csJR1dn8Ak
— Austin Parks & Rec (@AustinCityParks) January 22, 2026
Get the latest closure information: https://t.co/s2nH7W19Qj pic.twitter.com/ZqWfcv8Lrl
Schools
Here’s what’s been announced so far for school closures today in the Austin area due to expected winter weather — based on the latest local updates:
❄️ Confirmed Closures
- Leander Independent School District (LISD) — All district facilities will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. today due to expected winter weather. All after-school activities for today are canceled or rescheduled.
⚠️ Preparations, Activities Canceled (but not full school closure announced yet for Jan. 23)
Several local districts are preparing for severe cold and winter weather this weekend and have canceled activities, sports, and events, though they have not formally announced a full closure of classes for Friday, Jan. 23 as of the latest official notices:
- Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) — School activities and travel for the weekend (Jan. 24–25) have been canceled due to freezing rain risk; ongoing monitoring for Jan. 23 closures.
- Hays County area schools / Central Texas districts (including Round Rock ISD, Hays CISD) — Weekend events, athletics, and other school functions are canceled or being rescheduled due to weather forecasts.
School districts typically make final closure decisions early in the morning based on weather impact — so updates could still come for Jan. 23 closures.
Animal Welfare
Local animal shelters are taking extraordinary measures to protect vulnerable animals. Austin Pets Alive! launched an urgent campaign to place 75 dogs in temporary foster homes through the weekend. The shelter has made significant efforts to weather-proof the facility, including installing improved heating systems, generators, wind barriers and drainage systems. Austin Animal Services continues accepting foster applications and responding to calls about animals in distress.
Emergency Services
Austin-Travis County EMS emphasized that while operations may be adjusted based on road conditions and call volume, their focus remains on providing appropriate care for patients.
The Austin Police Department and Fire Department are fully staffed and ready to respond to weather-related incidents, with Community Health Paramedics conducting outreach to vulnerable individuals throughout the city.
Officials urge residents to stay home if possible, drip faucets to prevent frozen pipes, check on neighbors, and bring pets indoors. For those who must travel, they should monitor road conditions at DriveTexas.org and give snowplows plenty of distance. With comprehensive preparations in place across multiple agencies, Austin aims to weather this storm safely while protecting its most vulnerable residents.
❄️TxDOT crews continue to prep ahead of expected #winter weather. Here's a view from Denton Co. where big batches of brine are being readied. Do your part for safety now by watching forecasts & being ready to delay/cancel plans should hazardous travel conditions develop. #txwx pic.twitter.com/E57eCxHv9F
— TxDOT Dallas (@TxDOTDallas) January 22, 2026
Hey so
— Avery Tomasco (@averytomascowx) January 22, 2026
Why pic.twitter.com/LQUTCTYVtr
PODCAST
Austin City Council Meeting Summary – January 22, 2026
Overview
The Austin City Council conducted its regular meeting, addressing numerous consent items, public hearings, and zoning cases.
Major Actions Taken
Consent Agenda (Items Approved)
The council approved most consent items, including:
Interlocal Agreements:
- Extended animal services agreement with Travis County ($965,928, February-April 2026)
- Extended public health services agreement with Travis County ($1,837,962, three months starting February 1, 2026)
- Fire marshal services agreement with Austin Independent School District
- Emergency dispatch services with Travis County Emergency Services Districts
Major Construction Contracts:
- Burnet Road Corridor improvements: $29.4 million
- Upper Harris Branch Wastewater Interceptor Phase 1: $20.7 million
- Job Order Contract Program with multiple contractors: $50 million total
Other Notable Approvals:
- Muslim Heritage Month recognition resolution
- Police Reserve Force appointments
- Multiple parks and recreation grant applications
- Tennis center concession management contracts
- Speed limit reduction on Wilderness Drive for school safety (15 mph)
Items Withdrawn
Several items were pulled due to needed changes and corrections:
- Williamson Creek Wastewater Interceptor Project contract (#15)
- Forensic engineering services contract (#16)
- Multiple ordinances related to signage and land use (#52, 64, 68, 69, 86)
- Texas Department of Transportation maintenance agreement (#41)
Zoning Cases
Approved on all three readings:
- 1200 W. Gibson Street rezoning
- Airport 38 rezoning (3811 Airport Boulevard)
- 10200 McKalla Place rezoning
- Simmons-Glaser House historic landmark designation
- Covington Medical rezoning
- 16231 N IH 35 rezoning
- Stonelake Multifamily rezoning
- 1716 San Antonio Street rezoning
Postponed:
- 1000 Red River rezoning (to February 5, 2026)
- Montopolis-Fairway Mixed Use cases (to February 26, 2026)
- 6th and Lamar rezoning (to February 5, 2026)
Other Actions
- Approved officeholder expense policy (as amended)
Today was the first City Council meeting of 2026. My proposed reforms to the City Council Office expense policy passed today. This brings greater clarity and transparency to City Hall.
— Mayor Kirk Watson (@KirkPWatson) January 22, 2026
Safeguarding public confidence is a top priority. This policy is a step forward and sets high… pic.twitter.com/7zt73cQvLS
- Approved consultation policy for AFSCME union regarding civilian workforce issues
- Multiple parkland use changes and fee waivers for community events
Austin Civic Meetings: Friday, January 23rd
— Jen Robichaux (@JenRobichaux) January 20, 2026
· Austin Audit Petition Meetup @ 4PM https://t.co/edRPkAKlJW pic.twitter.com/3DjJ1VunhB
Crews responded early this morning to a crash in East Austin involving a Harmony school bus with no children onboard.
One person is dead after a crash involving two vehicles early this morning near FM 685 in Pflugerville.
A crash in South Austin Thursday evening on IH35 (southbound) and Slaughter Lane.
Power pole fires caused outages early this morning in parts of San Marcos.
Firefighters battled a house fire in East Austin yetsreday.
A 22-year-old Round Rock man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in federal prison after an undercover sting busted him for illegally building, possessing and selling machine guns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin Police are looking for the driver in a hit-and-run incident downtown back in October.
There’s more information about Paul Torres, recently arrested on several drug charges in Travis County.
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies successfully apprehended a wanted fugitive and uncovered a significant narcotics operation.
A Del Valle woman was sentenced to 25 years in a plea deal stemming from child abuse charges.
A new report shows arrests on downtown’s 6th Street dropped 25% in 2025.
Austin-based AI chip company Neurophos is getting $110 million from Microsoft.
Meta has laid off about 100 people in Austin and is shutting down three area gaming studios amid broader cuts to its virtual reality division. (Austin American-Statesman)
WEATHER
THURSDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Froney reports from Dallas.
A San Antonio congressman is working to find 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained by federal agents in Minnesota and reportedly transported to a Texas detention center. According to Minnesota Public Radio, the young boy was used as “bait” in an attempt to lure family members out of their home.
I voted NO on today’s Republican legislation to fund DHS/ICE. A rogue agency tied to in-custody deaths, abusive detention practices, and routine violations of constitutional rights should be stopped, not bankrolled.
— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) January 22, 2026
Taxpayer dollars should protect us from criminals but never…
I just voted against sending more money to Trump's out of control mass deportation machine. pic.twitter.com/PGgzTyLd71
— Congressman Greg Casar (@RepCasar) January 22, 2026
Two Texas Democrats crossed party lines to support the bill:
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) — Texas (YES)
— Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (@RepGonzalez) January 23, 2026
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) — Texas (YES)
Today, the House passed the FY 2026 Homeland Security appropriations bill because it delivers results. While not perfect, this bipartisan agreement strengthens oversight, directs resources where they are needed, and invests in border security, disaster response, cybersecurity,… pic.twitter.com/s4vbenIElr
— Rep. Henry Cuellar (@RepCuellar) January 22, 2026
A federal lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, against LaSalle Correctional Center, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and some of their representatives. It’s the third to be filed in connection to Harris County Jail inmates who died after being outsourced to LaSalle, one of the privately owned, out-of-state detention facilities that receives millions of dollars from lucrative contracts with the county to house hundreds of its inmates.
The lawsuit alleges correctional staff at the private Louisiana jail facility ignored a Houston man’s pleas for medical attention in the days leading up to his January 2025 death from an infection caused by strep throat. (Houston Public Media)
Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas DPS issued a five-day waiver allowing truck drivers to carry goods beyond typical hours ahead of winter weather.
A new mental health assessment released Thursday predicts that thousands of Kerr County residents could face long-term psychological effects following the July 4 flood, resulting in a $1 million funding commitment to expand access to mental health services in the area. (KVUE-TV)
Texas has created an Agriculture Hall of Fame.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Texas State Rep. James Talarico will meet for a televised debate this weekend. (KXAN-TV
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar appeared before a federal judge Thursday for allegedly using public funds to run a fraudulent for-profit disinfecting business during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.
Opponents of the nation’s crackdown on illegal immigration are facing criticism for what’s being called the ICE list. It’s an online database posted last week that exposes names and photos of thousands of ICE employees, including some here in Texas.
James Henson and Josh Blank use Texas polling to compare and contrast the issues at play in the Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas. Plus, some brief discussion of the latest NYT/Sienna national poll and the coverage of polling conducted by campaigns.
(Episode from January 22, 2026)
Texas supplied the most new residents of any U.S. state for nine other states, despite having the biggest population growth this decade, according to figures released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau. (Texas Tribune)
SPORTS
NBA: All three Texas teams played last night. Not all of them came away winners.
Naji Marshall tied his season highs with 30 points and nine assists, and the Dallas Mavericks beat Golden State 123-115 on Thursday night, winning a season-best fourth consecutive game while dropping the Warriors to 0-2 since Jimmy Butler’s season-ending knee injury. (NBC Sports)
De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points, shooting 10 of 13 from the field with six 3-pointers, to lead the San Antonio Spurs over the Utah Jazz 126-109. The Spurs shot 50.6% from the field and 41.9% from deep in Salt Lake City. (NBC Sports)
Tyrese Maxey scored six of his 36 points in overtime, Joel Embiid had 32 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists and the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Houston Rockets 128-122 on Thursday night. (NBC Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
San Antonio has the night off.
STANDINGS
NHL: A loss in Columbus last night for the Dallas Stars.
Jet Greaves had 28 saves for his third career shutout, Zach Werenski scored his 19th goal of the season, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Dallas Stars 1-0 on Thursday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
ASTROS: Former Houston Astro and recent free agent Chas McCormick and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp in the spring. (Houston Chronicle)
RANGERS: The Texas Rangers have acquired left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals in exchange for a package of prospects, the club announced on Thursday. (MLB)
Welcome to Texas, @Mgore181! pic.twitter.com/h26vP6mPYH
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) January 22, 2026
Texas Sports Unfiltered Morning Shows | LIVE | 1/23/26 | Texas Football | NFL | Austin Sports Talk
From hand-carved spokes to time-worn anvils and old cowboy tunes first recorded nearly a century ago, this story is about more than wagons—it’s about preserving a way of life.
A visit to Fort Stockton.
The latest episode of Texas Country Reporter.
