Austin, TX
Texas arctic blast: Dozens of flight cancelations, delays at Austin airport
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.
MORE STORIES:
“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.
There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
How to share a letter to the editor
Want to share your voice in the A-J? We’d love for you to contribute to the thoughtful and civil conversation. Please send us a letter to the editor by emailing us at newmedia@lubbockonline.com or through mail: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401. Please keep submissions to around 250 words or less.
-
South-Carolina3 minutes agoAlan Wilson says affordability a top issue for SC voters this year
-
South Dakota9 minutes agoBlack Hills Bottlenecks: Road work update for the week of May 11
-
Tennessee15 minutes agoNew Tennessee law allows K9 officers to be transported by helicopter, ambulance to vet
-
Texas21 minutes agoTexas sues Netflix, alleges platform spied on kids and collected data
-
Utah27 minutes agoTeens airlifted to Utah County hospitals after rollover of at least 50 yards | Gephardt Daily
-
Vermont33 minutes agoCommentary | Afonso-Rojas: Who pays when businesses ignore risks?
-
Virginia39 minutes agoVirginia Supreme Court voids voter-approved redistricting referendum
-
Washington45 minutes ago
19-Year-Old Transgender University of Washington Student Fatally Stabbed
