Official Notice: Winter Weather Service Impacts and Facility Delays for January 27

Official Notice: Winter Weather Service Impacts and Facility Delays

Due to the continued impact of extreme cold and hazardous road conditions, the City of Austin and local partners have announced modified operations for Tuesday, January 27, 2026. While wintry precipitation has ended, an extreme cold warning remains a primary concern as dangerously low temperatures and the refreezing of melted patches create significant safety risks on area roadways, specifically in shaded and elevated areas.

Public School and County Closures

All Austin Independent School District (AISD) schools and offices are closed today, Tuesday, January 27. This closure extends to all extracurricular activities and athletic events. District officials cited hazardous campus grounds and road conditions that are unlikely to improve until temperatures rise significantly above freezing. Similarly, Travis County facilities and offices, including all county courthouses, will remain closed throughout the day to ensure the safety of staff and the public.

City Operations and Delayed Openings

The City of Austin is operating on a modified schedule today with a two-hour delay for most municipal facilities. Residents should note the following service adjustments:

• City Offices and Libraries: Most facilities are scheduled to open at 11:00 AM.
• Warming Centers: The following locations are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to provide relief from the cold: Central Library, Terrazas Branch, and Little Walnut Creek Branch. One Texas Center is available as a warming hub until 8:00 PM.
• Parks and Recreation: Zilker Botanical Garden and the Austin Nature and Science Center will open at 11:00 AM. Water amenity re-activation at city parks is expected to begin this afternoon.
• Public Safety Services: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license offices in North Lamar, Northwest, and South Austin will open at 10:00 AM.

Transportation and Public Meetings

CapMetro will resume general operations, including bus, rail, and bikeshare services, starting at 12:00 PM today. CapMetro Access will continue to provide essential, life-sustaining trips throughout the morning. Residents are urged to use extreme caution if travel is necessary and to verify road conditions through official state monitoring tools before departing.

Regarding municipal governance, the Housing and Planning Committee will proceed with a Special Called Meeting this afternoon. The agenda includes the approval of previous minutes and a discussion regarding the committee’s meeting dates for the 2026 calendar year. Public communication is permitted for those who registered prior to the call to order.

Health and Safety Advisory

Austin Public Health and emergency management leaders advise residents to remain indoors during the morning hours as temperatures linger in the single digits and teens. Homeowners are reminded that emergency plumbing repairs to address frozen pipes may begin immediately to prevent further property damage, though standard permit and inspection requirements will apply once normal operations resume.