The National Weather Service is predicting "bitterly cold" conditions in Central Texas this week, and the city is advising residents to prepare themselves before the freeze hits.

The NWS forecast shows an arctic front will move through the Austin metro area from Dec. 22-23. In the city, temperatures Friday could range from a high of 32 degrees Fahrenheit to a low of 15 degrees—and feel between 8-11 degrees colder in the morning thanks to wind chill.

The NWS has a hard freeze watch set to run from noon Dec. 22 through noon Dec. 24, and a wind chill watch set from 6 p.m. Dec. 22 through noon Dec. 23. With those conditions on tap, emergency management leaders are asking Austinites to ready themselves this week.

“The most important gift you can give your family this season is to get prepared in advance of anticipated chilly temperatures,” said Juan Ortiz, director of the city's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in a statement. “As you prepare for time with your loved ones please make sure you included winter weather preparations as part of your holiday weekend plans.”

Austin had already shared seasonal readiness tips with residents before the coldest days of the season. Those include planning around the "4 Ps" of winter weather safety—preparing people, pets, pipes and plants for the cold—in addition to advice on staying informed through local alert systems, building an emergency kit, and keeping tabs on neighbors and vulnerable community members.


Meals on Wheels Central Texas also advised Austinites to keep a close watch on elderly neighbors by assisting them with those "4 Ps," and stocking food and supplies as needed.

More emergency updates are available through the city's alert system and the Warn Central Texas website.

“The current weather forecast does not call for precipitation or ice, so our concern right now is frigid temperatures and making sure our most vulnerable populations have resources,” HSEM Deputy Director Aoife Longmore said. “We are monitoring conditions and will be standing by over the holiday weekend with additional resources that can be activated as needed. We currently do not anticipate a need for widespread emergency sheltering for our community this weekend.”Shelter support

Alongside the general preparedness notice, the city also shared it is monitoring weather conditions for the potential use of cold weather shelters for vulnerable residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness.


The Central Texas deep freeze will arrive around one week after city auditors released a report that criticized how Austin has managed those emergency shelters. The audit identified flaws, such as short-staffing; unclear policies, training and responsibilities; and multiple instances of the city failing to open shelter spaces when weather conditions called for service.

In a media release, Austin Public Health—the city entity responsible for the shelters—said it is monitoring the wintry conditions and will activate shelters when needed. City policy calls for cold weather shelters to open when temperatures reach 32 degrees or below overnight, or 35 degrees or below with wet or windy conditions. Shelter activations are determined daily by 9 a.m.

Regardless of shelter status, APH also noted that residents in need can visit public libraries or recreation centers to warm up during regular business hours.

"It remains the goal of the Cold Weather Shelter program to provide shelter to anyone seeking a warm place to sleep when temperatures hit a certain determined threshold, and to ensure that anyone requesting shelter is accommodated and not turned away," the APH release stated.


When the shelters are open, Capital Metro will also waive ticketing fees for anyone using transit to access a warming facility. Guests may bring personal belongings and pets to the centers, and meals are provided.

In response to the December audit, APH said it is working with its new partner the Austin Area Urban League on shelter operations. The agency also said shelter plans have been updated to clarify the city's activation plan.

Shelter information is available by calling 512-305-4233.