Austin, TX
Central Texas school officials prepare for possible freezing temperatures next week
Frigid air to send temperatures plummeting
Arctic air will expand across much of the United States into the weekend, resulting in some of the coldest conditions since last winter with AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures well below zero.
Austin area school officials are monitoring an arctic blast that’s predicted to plummet temperatures to dangerous, subfreezing conditions in Central Texas early next week, and they’re preparing their campuses for the possible extreme weather.
Districts likely won’t make decisions about delayed or canceled classes on Tuesday until after the weekend, but officials are advising parents to stay tuned to their district’s social media sites for information. Students are scheduled to be off Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Austin’s high temperature Sunday is forecast just above freezing, with a low of 21 and a 40% chance of freezing rain at night, according to the National Weather Service. Monday’s high is forecast at 30, with a low of 14. There’s a 30% chance of freezing rain Monday before noon.
Austin weather: Freezing rain could cause dangerous road conditions in Austin on Monday, NWS warns
On Tuesday, the high is forecast at 33 and the low at 14, with temperatures rising well above freezing Wednesday with a high of 45 and a forecast low of 32, according to the weather service.
Are schools in Central Texas closed Tuesday?
As of Friday, most Central Texas school district officials remained in a holding pattern by keeping an eye on the weather and waiting to make decisions on any potential school closures.
Officials in the Dripping Springs district will check their buildings Monday and early Tuesday morning to make sure conditions are safe for students to return to classes, spokeswoman Jennifer Edwards said.
Rain, which could freeze roads when temperatures are subfreezing, is one of the biggest factors school districts consider to decide whether to delay the start of classes or cancel them altogether.
Texas freeze tips: How to stay safe and avoid the ER during Austin’s cold weather
“The precipitation causing dangerous driving conditions is generally our key indicator whether we plan to close or delay with cold weather,” Hays district spokesman Tim Savoy said.
In the Lake Travis district, maintenance staff plans to scatter salt on sidewalks in case of wet weather and prepare buildings for subfreezing temperatures, said spokesman Marco Alvarado. Workers will winterize the toilets in portable restrooms and wells, shut down the irrigation to campuses and shutdown water to the district’s non-insulated buildings, such as the football press box and band shed, Alvarado said.
More: Texas is preparing for arctic blast. Here’s how state is helping cities, counties respond
Officials are asking parents and guardians to check their child’s school or district website Monday for more information about any potential closures or delayed school start times Tuesday.
Check back with the American-Statesman over the weekend and Monday for updates on school closures.
Austin, TX
Titanic: The Human Story Now Open in Austin, Texas
Austin, TX
2026 Pro Swim Series Kicks Off in Austin – Austin Today
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The 2026 Pro Swim Series, the first leg of the prestigious swimming competition, is set to begin tomorrow in Austin, Texas. This four-day event will showcase some of the fastest swimmers in the world as they compete in a variety of events, including new semifinal structures and updated prize money. Fans can look forward to comprehensive previews, live results, and multiple ways to watch the action unfold.
Why it matters
The Pro Swim Series is a critical stop on the road to the 2026 Olympics, with swimmers looking to qualify for national teams and secure valuable ranking points. The Austin event will also feature new event formats and prize money structures that could impact the competitive landscape and strategies of the top athletes.
The details
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin will run from January 14-17, with preliminary sessions starting at 9:00 a.m. local time and finals kicking off at 6:00 p.m. local time. All sessions will be streamed live on the USA Swimming Network, and the finals on January 15 and 16 will also be aired on Peacock. The event schedule includes a variety of individual events, with the women’s and men’s 1500m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 400m individual medley being the highlight distance races.
- The competition will begin on Wednesday, January 14 and run through Saturday, January 17.
- Preliminary sessions will start at 9:00 a.m. local time (CT) each day, with finals beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time.
The players
USA Swimming
The national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, responsible for organizing the Pro Swim Series.
Peacock
The streaming platform that will air the finals sessions on January 15 and 16.
SwimSwam
A leading swimming news and media outlet that has provided comprehensive previews and analysis of the 2026 Pro Swim Series event in Austin.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What’s next
Fans can look forward to additional previews and analysis from leading swimming media outlets in the days leading up to the event, as well as live results and coverage throughout the four-day competition.
The takeaway
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin promises to be an exciting showcase of the sport’s top talent, with new event formats and prize money structures adding an extra layer of intrigue. Swimming fans won’t want to miss this must-watch competition as athletes vie for Olympic qualification and national team spots.
Austin, TX
El Paso family moves into the first in-hospital house in Austin
AUSTIN, Texas (KVIA) — A new partnership is helping provide revolutionary care for families as they wait in the hospital.
The Ronald McDonald House in Central Texas and Texas Children’s in Austin opened the first in-hospital Ronald McDonald House in the Central Texas region. The house includes nine family suites, a dining area, a lounge, complimentary laundry facilities, and a room for art and activities. Kitchen volunteers also provide meals.
The house provides a place for families to stay while their children receive care at Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin.
The first family to move into the house is from El Paso. Nathan and Yadira are currently waiting for the arrival of their daughter, Amelia. Yadira is currently nine months pregnant, and is set to give birth this week.
The family learned early in their pregnancy their daughter has omphalocele, a rare condition. It’s a birth defect of the abdominal wall, where intestines stick outside of the belly.
Her parents were referred to Texas Children’s Hospital because of the severity of Amelia’s case. After birth, Amelia will need close monitoring, specialized care, and eventually surgery.
The chief of surgery at Texas Children’s, Dr. Matias Burzoni, is in close contact with the family. He said both parents are still in good spirits.
“They have the best attitude I’ve seen in a long time. They’re extremely optimistic,” he told ABC-7 over a Zoom interview.
Following Amelia’s arrival, she will be receiving treatment at Texas Children’s, and her parents will be just steps away.
Dr. Bunzoni said this opportunity will be a game-changer for many families.
“We can chat with them any time during the day. They can come visit their baby any time during the day. And specifically when there are important decisions to be made, they are readily available,” he said.
He adds, the rooms are warm and welcoming. Meals and lodging are free to families.
“The fact that we have them just a few steps away from their kids makes a big difference. And that’s why I think the Ronald McDonald House is just so powerful because it really improves the outcomes of these babies,” he said.
Yadira and Nathan said they are grateful this place is available to them.
“It means a lot for us to be able to stay here because, you know, it takes away the final financial burden as well as the needs that our daughter will be needing,” Yadira said.
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