The National Weather Service is warning of below-freezing temperatures that will sweep through the Greater Austin area late Dec. 22 and remain for 36-48 hours.
The arctic front is still on schedule to move through the area during the day on Thursday. Temperatures between 10-22 and wind chills between -8 and 11 degrees can be expected Thursday night/Friday morning. Take the appropriate precautions today and tomorrow to protect the 4 Ps! pic.twitter.com/172dA1fmSh
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) December 20, 2022
Oncor, an energy company that provides power for much of the area, has issued a statement saying although no wintry precipitation is expected, it continues to monitor the forecast and is preparing crews to respond to issues as needed.
The arctic front could create wind chills as low as -8 degrees by the morning of Dec. 23, and officials in Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto are warning residents to take precautions now.
The city of Hutto is asking residents to make a note of their water provider and has issued more information on local resources that can be found here.
Information from the city also states the Hutto Resource Center will be closed Dec. 23, but city staff will leave nonperishable food items in the lobby of the Hutto Police Department located at 401 Front St.
The city of Pflugerville has issued tips on local resources, winter weather driving, recognizing the effects of frostbite and hypothermia, and navigating power outages. More information can be found here.
Additionally, city staff is ensuring essential services stay functional during the freezing weather.
Pflugerville public works and facilities teams are taking measures including preparing sand trucks to address bridges and roadways in the event of precipitation. Generators are fueled and ready at the city's water and wastewater plants and other distribution and collection facilities, according to a statement.
"We remind our residents to be prepared with groceries in case unable to travel to the store over the next few days," the statement reads. "Consider dripping faucets and keep water on-hand. Go locate your water shutoff valve now, so if a pipe does burst you know how to manage."
In Round Rock, city staff issued a statement advising residents to check on loved ones and neighbors, bring pets and plants indoors, and drip water from faucets to protect pipes.
"We are currently ensuring that our water system is prepared and full, and we have generators and on-call staff prepared to maintain core city services in case of an emergency, if needed," the statement reads. "We also have a plan in place should a large-scale power outage occur; however, power outages should be reported to Oncor."
For more information on emergency resources in Round Rock, click here.
