Austin, TX

Texas arctic blast: Dozens of flight cancelations, delays at Austin airport

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

Flight cancelations, delays at Austin airport

Crews at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport found themselves plowing snow and de-icing planes in order to keep the airport open on Monday. Despite that, thousands of travelers found themselves stuck in Austin due to bad weather elsewhere.

AUSTIN, Texas – Crews at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport found themselves plowing snow and de-icing planes in order to keep the airport open on Monday. Despite that, thousands of travelers found themselves stuck in Austin due to bad weather elsewhere.

ABIA saw more than 120 flights canceled on Monday, Jan. 15, and so far, around 25 have been canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 16. But airport officials point out they were prepared for the weather in Austin, and operations have remained normal.

Rare lake-effect snow coated the tarmac in white early Monday, along with freezing rain and bone-chilling cold. Crews were out in full force plowing the runways and de-icing planes, and clearing roads and walkways.

“We have learned a lot from the last few freezes that we’ve had in the past three years. So we were ready,” said airport spokesperson Elizabeth Ferrer.

Arctic blast brings ice, snow

Central Texas is experiencing record cold temperatures, and some unusual weather phenomena, as a result of the arctic blast hitting much of the state.

“While there’s no question it’s been brutally cold here at ABIA, it’s actually the weather in other parts of the country that, in many cases, has kept the planes on the ground.

“As far as I know, there were no cancelations because of the weather here. It’s really been because of, uh, weather elsewhere,” said Ferrer.

In addition to Monday’s cancelations, more than 240 flights were delayed into and out of ABIA.

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“The text came in and said, you’re canceled,” said Shannon Rich, who’s trying to make it back to Tennessee.

They’ve been rebooked, but their departure time keeps getting later.

“We can’t check our bags until four hours before our flight. So we’re going to sit here and wait until 4,” said Rich.

Power grid holds Monday

The Texas power grid held on Monday despite peak demand records being set, but some are still concerned as the arctic blast hitting much of the state is continuing through Wednesday morning.

Chanel Monge of Austin is waiting for family that’s stuck in Nashville.

“The plane has just been circling around, taxiing around, unable to leave because of the ice on the runways,” said Monge.

Outside the terminal, the frigid temperatures caused another issue. Exit kiosks for the red and blue garages were literally frozen for a few hours.

“Passengers were having to press the call button on the kiosks, and staff had to answer each of those calls and manually process the exits,” said Ferrer.

That problem has been fixed.

If you’re scheduled to fly out Tuesday, you’re urged to check with your airline and allow plenty of time.

“Be patient and be able to adjust,” said Ray Allen, who’s trying to make it back to the San Francisco Bay Area. “A lot of hurry up and wait.”

Given the impact of the weather, airport officials advise arriving at least two and a half hours early. Also, keep an eye on road conditions that could slow you down getting there.

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Related Topics:Abia Austin Featured news Organization Travis County Tx us weather winter weather

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Austin, TX

Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year

Cedric Ricks spoke in his own defense at his 2013 murder trial, something most defendants accused of a terrible crime do not do. Ricks confessed that he had killed his girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son. He admitted he was aggressive and had trouble controlling his anger, stating that he was “sorry about everything.” […]

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Austin, TX

Will the rest of Austin allergies seasons be as bad as cedar this year?

Published

20 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Will the rest of Austin allergies seasons be as bad as cedar this year?

Austin had a particularly itchy and drippy cedar fever season to start the year. Many winter days, from late December into February, had high or very high ashe juniper (aka cedar) pollen counts.

Central Texas has a year-round allergy season with mold popping up at any time. For the more traditional spring and fall allergy seasons, forecasters at AccuWeather are predicting some of the allergens across the country will be worse this year than average.

Texas, though, is a different story.

For grass allergies, which happen now through September, AccuWeather estimates Austin will have an average season. However, just west of the Interstate 35 corridor in the Hill Country to almost El Paso, that season is expected to be worse than normal.

“Texas may experience above-average grass pollen for a few weeks,” AccuWeather’s allergy report said, “though the season could be shorter-lived compared to northern areas.”

It all depends on the weather

How much rain we get in the next six months and the perennial Texas heat will all affect the growing season for grasses and weeds, as well as the amount of pollen trees produce. The Farmers’ Almanac and the Old Farmers Almanac are both predicting a wetter and warmer spring.

Rain helps plants grow, which can increase pollen production over time. However, rainfall during allergy season can also bring temporary relief by washing pollen out of the air. That’s what we’re expecting this weekend, with our first meaningful rain chance in nearly three weeks. Tree and weed pollen levels might briefly drop, but mold could spike because it thrives in damp, humid weather.

If spring continues with excessive heat like we saw in February, it could limit the growth of some plants and trees. Extreme heat can reduce how much they grow, and how much pollen they produce. On the other hand, if we get a healthy balance of rain and only slightly above-normal temperatures — not extreme heat — pollen counts could climb. That’s especially true as we head into April, typically our windiest month of the year, which helps spread pollen more easily.

How can you treat allergies in Austin?

If you are feeling the effects of allergies, here are some things you can do to lessen them:

Start taking allergy medication at least two weeks before your allergen’s season is supposed to start. Keep taking your allergy medication throughout your allergen’s season, even on low-pollen days.
Vary your allergy medication. You can take a nasal spray, an eye drop and an oral antihistamine at the same time to treat the different symptoms. If one kind of allergy medication isn’t working, consult your doctor about whether you should add a second one or switch out the medication.
Take a shower before going to bed.
Take off outside clothes or shoes when you get into the house.
Do a daily nasal wash such as a neti pot or saline spray.
Consider seeing an allergist to get drops or shots to lessen your reaction to the allergen.

Consider these household tips to improve your chances of keeping allergens away:

Change the filters in your house regularly during cedar fever season.
Vacuum and sweep regularly.
Change your sheets, especially your pillow regularly.
Keep doors and windows closed.
Clean out the vents in your home.
Have your home tested for indoor allergens such as mold.
Wash and brush the animals in your house to lessen the amount of allergens in the air.
Wear a mask outside or inside while you are trying to lessen the pollen or mold indoors.

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Austin, TX

Texas Primary: Breakdown of Texas races

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Democrats tried to stop a mid-decade redistricting effort, but were unsuccessful. Now, we are starting to see some of the candidates emerging in those newly drawn districts. FOX 7 Austin’s Rudy Koski gives a full breakdown.

Posted March 3, 2026 10:32pm CST

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