Winter Blast Triggers Central Texas Power Outages Mixed With Fun

AUSTIN, TX — A rare snow storm across the Austin region Sunday — the most prolific in 17 years — caused up to 35,000 households to be without power at its peak and the cancellation of classes across the region for Monday, officials said.

Snow began to fall in earnest in the morning, and is expected to continue through the night. As a result, power outages across a wide swath of the Austin region have been reported.

"Our crews are working several outages throughout #ATX this morning due to the snowy weather," Austin Energy officials wrote on Twitter. "Thank you for your patience as our crews work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power."

A power outage map with updates on repairs can be found by clicking here. All told, the utility reported 129 power outages as of 2:30 p.m. affecting some 35,000 customers. Austin Energy customers registered for text outage alerts are directed to text "outage" to report power failures. Otherwise, customers can call (512) 322-9100.

In a 6:25 p.m. update, Austin Energy reported 137 outages affecting 23,000 customers without power. At the peak of the snowstorm, officials wrote on Twitter, there were 37,000 without electricity.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm advisory as a result of the inclement weather that covers Travis, Williamson, Burnet and Llano counties. Bexar, Caldwell and Guadalupe counties latter were added to the advisory.

The issuance of a winter advisory for the region comes after the greatest amount of snowfall across the region in 17 years: "Up to 6" of snow fell today in our area," National Weather Service officials wrote on Twitter. "The last time that happened was Christmas day 2004, when our Coastal Plains counties had a very white Christmas."

Motorists are urged to drive with extra caution as snow has yielded hazardous road conditions. Traffic signals knocked out by the weather conditions heightened the urgency of such advice.

Transportation officials also have reported multiple traffic signals have stopped working as a result of inclement weather. Motorists should treat such intersections as four-way stops until power is restored.

A courtyard table serving as a community focal point at a West Campus apartment complex is rendered unusable amid a rare snow storm on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Snow blanketed the region on Sunday, including in the courtyard of a West Campus apartment complex. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

The city's transit agency, Capital Metro, reported delays in bus service largely as a result of inclement weather.

Related coverage:

• Central Texas School Districts Cancel Classes Amid Winter Blast
  
• Inclement Weather, Coronavirus Spur Bus Service Delays In Austin
• Snow Predicted In Austin Area Sunday

As a result of inclement weather, Pflugerville ISD initially announced a 90-minute delay for Monday morning classes before canceling in-person instruction outright. Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock school districts also canceled classes on Monday.

Late Sunday, Austin ISD officials said classes would be conducted virtually only.

Plant lovers taken unawares of a rare snowstorm on Austin on Sunday were rendered helpless in seeing their gardens exposed to the elements. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

"We are monitoring weather conditions and working with area leaders," Austin ISD officials wrote on Twitter. "We will keep our families and team members informed of any changes."

Officials in Williamson County announced the closure of all local government offices on Monday given the possibility of icy road conditions on Monday. "Residents are encouraged not to drive on the icy roadways unless necessary," officials wrote in an advisory. "Williamson County Road and Bridge crews will be working throughout the night to de-ice bridges and sand roadways. If you must drive, please use caution, reduce speed, and watch for icy patches."

Beauty, fun amid the snowy chaos

Those not frustrated by power outages or driving in treacherous roadways took in the beauty of the rare snowfall. At various neighborhoods, parents could be seen keeping a watchful eye on their children playing in the snow.

Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted a snowy scene from his official residence in downtown Austin. "A rare & beautiful sight — the Governor’s Mansion & Texas Capitol are blanketed in snow," he wrote.

He ensured ahead of the snowstorm to help safeguard residents, directing resources Friday to be place on standby across the state ahead of time. The storm system extended well beyond Central Texas, with areas of the Panhandle, South Plains, Big Country and northern Permian Basin forecast getting up to eight inches of snow. This system also was forecast as having the potential to produce significant rainfall along the Coastal Plains.

Snow is so rare in Austin that the climactic phenomenon was trending on Twitter with residents using the phrase "snow in Austin, TX" to share photos and accounts across social media. Along with amateur weather reports was gentle ribbing of reactions among residents unaccustomed to snow.

The snowfall was sufficient to ensure a sled ride of sorts for those so inclined. One dad was seen taking his son, Benjamin, on such a ride down a hill not ordinarily covered with snow in the Southwest Austin Belterra neighborhood.

A father and son enjoy a rare snow sled ride in the Southwest Austin Belterra neighborhood on Jan. 10, 2021. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

After a challenging 2020 altered by coronavirus, the snow brought some measure of joy to some in a landscape that has been largely quieted by pandemic. The sound of children's laughter playing outdoors, as rare as the snow itself, brought a welcome change to the now-routine stillness — albeit temporarily and in a manner as fleeting as innumerable snowflakes falling across Central Texas.