Austin Shivers: Extreme Cold Warning and Icy Roads Persist into Monday

A Frigid Start to the Week

Austin residents are waking up to a city held in a deep freeze this Monday, January 26, 2026. Following a significant winter storm over the weekend that coated the region in sleet and ice, the National Weather Service has extended an Extreme Cold Warning for the area until noon today. While the most intense precipitation has moved out of Central Texas, the primary concern for Monday remains the dangerously low temperatures and lingering ice on the roadways.

Morning: The Deep Freeze

The morning hours are particularly brutal, with temperatures hovering between 17°F and 19°F. However, when accounting for the wind, the feel-like temperature is expected to dip into the single digits or lower teens. Austin-Travis County Emergency Management has urged residents to limit their time outdoors and to ensure that pets, pipes, and plants are protected from the sustained sub-freezing conditions. The morning sky is expected to be clear and sunny, though the sun will do little to mitigate the biting chill during the early commute hours.

Afternoon: Sunny but Slick

By the afternoon, a slight thaw is anticipated as the high temperature is projected to reach approximately 33°F to 39°F. Despite the appearance of sunshine and a few passing clouds, local officials warn that travel remains extremely hazardous. Significant icing persists on bridges, overpasses, and shaded neighborhood streets. The City of Austin continues to monitor road conditions, but the melting process is expected to be slow, and any slush created during the day is likely to refreeze quickly as the sun goes down.

Evening and Overnight Outlook

As evening approaches, the mercury will once again plummet below the freezing mark. The overnight low is expected to settle in the low 20s. While skies will remain mostly clear to partly cloudy, there is a lingering 5% chance of light snow or flurries late tonight, though no significant accumulation is expected. Residents should prepare for another night of hard freezes.

Closures and Safety Alerts

• University of Texas at Austin: The campus will remain closed on Monday, January 26. All classes and events have been cancelled to ensure the safety of students and faculty.
• Transportation: CapMetro services have been monitoring conditions; check for potential delays or continued suspensions on major routes.
• Extreme Cold Warning: Remains in effect until 12:00 PM today.
• Driving: Officials advise staying off the roads if possible, as black ice remains a critical threat across the I-35 corridor and the Hill Country.