Austin Winter Storm 2025 - Comprehensive City Response and Preparations

January 20, 2025

3 min read

Austin Winter Storm 2025 - Comprehensive City Response and Preparations

A significant winter storm is currently approaching Austin, Texas with several major impacts expected. The city and its utilities have implemented comprehensive preparations to handle the challenging weather conditions ahead.

Timing and Conditions

The winter storm warning is in effect from 6 PM Monday (today) through 6 PM Tuesday, with forecasters expecting 1-2 inches of snow and sleet in the Austin area. Temperatures will be near freezing during the day, with wind chills dropping into the teens.

Transportation Impacts

All CapMetro services will stop at 9 PM tonight (Monday)
Roads are expected to become dangerous with slick, icy conditions starting Monday evening
City crews are pre-treating critical roadways and structures
Officials strongly advise against commuting Monday night and Tuesday

Closures

All Austin ISD schools will be closed Tuesday
All City of Austin Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed Tuesday
City government will operate under modified operations Tuesday
Three Austin Public Library branches are operating as warming centers:
- Terrazas Branch
- Ruiz Branch
- Little Walnut Branch

Emergency Response

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center activated at 7 AM today
Cold Weather Shelters will operate 24 hours through Wednesday morning
Emergency services are already responding to cold-related incidents

Power Grid

ERCOT has issued a weather watch through Thursday but expects grid conditions to remain normal. Austin Energy is monitoring conditions and ready to respond to any outages.

Austin Energy’s Preparations

Under the leadership of Bob Kahn, who became General Manager in July 2023, Austin Energy has taken several key actions:

Infrastructure Improvements

Upgraded software systems and improved their outage map
Prioritized trimming trees around power lines in high-risk areas across their 400-mile service territory
Weatherized and insulated power equipment while ensuring critical supplies are in stock

Strategic Planning

Developed Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035
Focused on delivering reliable electricity while keeping customer bills low
Working toward the goal of 100% carbon-free energy by 2035

Lessons from Snowpocalypse

People often think of Texas as a land of endless summer, where the sun beats down relentlessly and air conditioning is a way of life. But the reality is far more complex - our weather can swing from Mexico to Minnesota in a matter of hours. This is something I learned firsthand during Winter Storm Uri, also known as Snowpocalypse.

During Uri, like many Austinites, I was forced out of my home when we lost power, water, and heat. However, I was fortunate - years of outdoor activities meant I had backpacking, skiing, and cold weather camping gear ready to go. Finding refuge with friends, I was able to set up a functional base camp with my equipment, creating a relatively comfortable situation in otherwise dire circumstances.

My experience was far better than many in Austin. The storm exposed how unprepared our city was for extreme winter conditions, leading to widespread hardship across the community. It taught us valuable lessons that resonate strongly as we face another winter challenge:

Ensure adequate food and water supplies
Keep vehicles and generators fueled and tested
Maintain an emergency plan, kit, and access to current information

Many Austinites learned these lessons the hard way during Uri. As we prepare for this current storm, I hope everyone is better equipped and prepared.

Looking Ahead

This winter storm represents another significant weather event for Austin, combining freezing temperatures with precipitation in a region that has learned harsh lessons about winter preparedness. While most winter weather events in Austin end up being relatively mild - making small snowmen and sledding down muddy hills - we’ve learned that conditions can change dramatically at a moment’s notice.

The widespread closures and emergency measures indicate authorities are taking a proactive approach to public safety, informed by our experiences during Uri. The comprehensive preparations by Austin Energy under Bob Kahn’s leadership demonstrate a more coordinated and strategic approach to winter weather preparedness. While challenges may still arise, the utility’s enhanced focus on infrastructure improvements and emergency response capabilities suggests better preparedness than in previous years.