AUSTIN, Texas — Icy temperatures and dangerous weather conditions still loom over central Texas this weekend, though CBS Austin Meteorologist Avery Tomasco predicts that the freeze will likely not reach greater Austin until Saturday evening.
Temperatures will remain in the 40s for most of greater Austin on Saturday morning, with the cold settling into our area throughout the day but remaining generally above freezing by the afternoon.
Northwestern Williamson County and the northern Hill Country will likely see the first freezing temperatures in our area by 3 p.m. Saturday, with the rest of central Texas dipping below 32 degrees Fahrenheit by late Saturday evening, much later than initially anticipated.
Once temperatures dip below 32 F, rain will start freezing on contact with elevated surfaces as freezing rain, resulting in icy bridges and overpasses overnight into Sunday. The heaviest freezing rain will move into our area overnight.
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Tomasco predicts that most of central Texas will see, at most, about a quarter inch of freezing rain.
“That is significant, but is not nearly to the degree of what happened in 2023,” he said.
The area will likely see travel issues and some potential power line problems. Tomasco predicts that the freezing conditions will likely leave our area by Monday morning.
This all comes as central Texas, and the rest of the state, prepares for the freezing weather event.
ERCOT issued a Weather Watch lasting through Tuesday ahead of the freeze and potential icy conditions, saying the cold weather could lead to higher electrical demand and lower reserves. Officials emphasized that grid conditions are expected to remain normal during the Weather Watch period.
Austin residents have flocked to grocery stores to stock up on essentials ahead of the freeze. Stores like Randalls are responding by shipping in extra product to meet the demand.