Ice locked down parts of Texas overnight, and Monday’s school day is now on ice too. Central and North Texas districts are closing or delaying classes to keep buses and families off slick roads. The University of Texas at Austin is closed. Austin ISD is closed. Travel is the primary risk, not classrooms. The glaze is thin in spots, but it is treacherous. ❄️
Where closures stand right now
Districts across Central Texas have confirmed closures or late starts for Monday, including UT Austin and Austin ISD. North Texas has a patchwork of decisions, from full shutdowns to two hour delays. The driver is simple, bridges and overpasses are refreezing, and many neighborhood streets never thawed. Crews are treating main routes, but side streets remain a hazard. Expect more updates before first bell. Families should refresh district sites early and watch for new alerts.
The weather setup, and why ice is winning
This is classic Texas ice, not deep snow. A shallow layer of Arctic air hugged the ground. Above it, air stayed a bit warmer. That sandwich traps supercooled raindrops that freeze on contact. It paints a clear glaze on pavement, rails, and branches. The result is black ice you cannot see until you hit it.
Climate context matters here. Winters in Texas are warming on average. Yet a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. When a cold dome slides south, that extra moisture can fuel heavier icing. The jet stream can also wobble more, which sometimes lets shallow cold dive into the state. That mix, warm moisture over cold ground, is why road crews and school leaders are outmatched today.
If you see wet pavement, assume it is ice. Elevated roads go first, then shaded spots. Mobile homes and older buildings can cool fast. Tree limbs pick up weight, and that can pull down lines. Isolated outages are possible if icing continues.
What to expect through Monday
Temperatures will struggle through the morning. Any sun helps, but wind keeps surfaces cold. Treated freeways improve first. Residential streets, hills, and north facing driveways are last to recover. Many districts will reassess around midday. If clouds hold and wind chills stay low, more afternoon activities could be canceled.
Power demand rises on cold mornings, and ice adds stress to the grid. This is not a panic moment, but smart use helps. Heat your home early, then hold a steady setting. Avoid running ovens and dryers at the same time. If you lose power, report it once and conserve phone battery. Utility crews cannot safely fix lines while roads are a sheet of glass.
If you do not have to drive, do not. Black ice hides on bridges, ramps, and neighborhood slopes. One spin can block an entire route and slow emergency response.
Safety and smart choices
Your best defense is time and patience. Give the day room to thaw. If you must head out, plan like a cold weather hike, not a quick errand.
- Delay all nonessential trips, even quick ones
- Slow to a crawl on bridges and ramps, no sudden moves
- Keep phones and power banks charged, and fuel at least half full
- Heat homes to a steady 68 to 70, then hold steady to ease grid strain
- Never use grills or generators indoors, even in a garage
Track closures the smart way. Set quiet alarms before dawn, check official notices, then go back to warm beds if classes are canceled.
- Check your district website and official text or email alerts by early morning
- Review your county road map for closures and ice trouble spots
- Use state highway info lines for live travel conditions
- Recheck at midday for updates on after school events and athletics
The bottom line
Texas is facing a classic ice day, and schools are choosing safety. UT Austin, Austin ISD, and many Central and North Texas districts are closed or delayed to keep families off dangerous roads. The science is straightforward. Shallow cold air, warm air above, and plenty of Gulf moisture create a slick glaze that beats salt and sand before sunrise. Climate change makes winters warmer on average, but it also loads the air with more moisture. When cold arrives, that can mean bigger icing events. Keep travel light, keep power use steady, and keep watching official updates. The thaw will come, but timing is everything today.
