BREAKING: Tuesday school schedules are shifting across Central Texas as ice grips morning roads. I am confirming widespread closures and delayed starts for multiple districts as freezing drizzle and subfreezing air turn bridges and shaded streets slick. Expect updates to continue late tonight and early Tuesday, when road crews and district teams complete their checks. Safety is driving these calls, not convenience. Students, staff, and bus drivers must avoid a dangerous commute.
This Arctic air has staying power. Many campuses are canceling after school activities and postponing games, rehearsals, and meetings. Parents should expect adjusted bus routes and watch for limited morning services. Keep devices charged. Keep plans flexible. ❄️
What we know right now
Districts around the Austin metro and the Hill Country are posting Tuesday closures and delays, with decisions tied to early morning road temperatures. Bridges and overpasses are the first to ice, but neighborhood hills and shaded roads are also risky. Leander ISD canceled school Monday, and several districts are now deciding Tuesday plans by dawn road checks and power updates.
Announcements typically land in the late evening or before sunrise. Do not rely on screenshots or group chats. Go to your district’s official alert page, email, text system, or verified social channel. If your district is on a two hour delay, bus stops will shift to match the new time. Breakfast service may be limited. Special education transportation teams are calling families with route changes.
Sign up for district text alerts, verify any remote learning plans, and check make up day details on your school calendar.
The weather setup
Cold, dense Arctic air has pushed south and settled in the I-35 corridor. A shallow layer of freezing air at the surface is trapping moisture near the ground. That is why we are seeing light icing, not heavy snow. Even a thin glaze can turn a routine turn lane into a slide. Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing into mid morning in many neighborhoods, with wind chills that feel even harsher.
This is classic winter whiplash for Central Texas. A warming climate does not end cold outbreaks. It changes how they behave. Warmer air holds more moisture. When a hard freeze rides in under that moisture, ice forms faster on power lines, trees, and roads. Our winters now swing between warm, humid days and sharp Arctic snaps, which stresses road surfaces and school HVAC systems. It also challenges the morning bus fleet, from diesel gelling to battery strain.
Safety and sustainability
Travel only if needed before the sun helps. Black ice is invisible until you feel it. If you must drive, go slow and leave wide gaps. Use low speeds on bridges. Do not use cruise control. Keep a winter kit in the car, with a blanket, water, and a phone charger.
District facilities teams are balancing two risks, frozen pipes and energy demand. Many are dripping interior faucets overnight while sealing exterior spigots. Families can help the grid by lowering thermostats a few degrees and closing doors to unused rooms. If you drip faucets, collect that water in pots for plants or toilets. Reduce waste and save your pipes at the same time.
Street deicers are also a choice with environmental impact. Salt and some chemical melts can harm creeks and pets. Sand, kitty litter, or traction grit can be safer for your driveway, though cleanup matters. Sweep it back up when roads thaw to keep drains clear.
If your sidewalk or steps are icy, use traction grit or sand. Avoid hot water, it refreezes fast and gets more dangerous.
- Check your district’s alert page and sign up for texts and emails.
- Build a simple morning plan if school shifts to remote or delayed.
- Lay out warm layers, gloves, and shoes with good traction.
- Charge laptops and hotspots, and pack a backup charger.
What parents should do next
Watch for a late night or pre dawn alert. Decide early whether you can delay your commute. Coordinate with neighbors for childcare swaps if classes are canceled. If school goes remote, test your login tonight. If classes are delayed, reset alarms and adjust medication or meal schedules that depend on school start times.
Bus riders should wait off the street, not at the curb, in case a driver loses traction. Walkers should avoid bridges and steep cut throughs. If sidewalks are icy, choose grassy edges for better grip. Schools will update dismissal plans if refreeze threatens the afternoon. Expect changes to athletics and fine arts schedules until temperatures rise above freezing.
I will continue to monitor road sensors, campus reports, and utility data, and I will publish fresh school status updates as districts post them. Central Texas knows this drill, but each freeze is different. Today, caution is the sustainable choice. Fewer cars on the road means fewer crashes, less idling, and a quicker thaw for everyone. Stay warm, stay patient, and check your official alerts before you step outside.
