…. Winter Storm Warning Downgraded to Winter Weather Advisory ….
…. The Winter Weather Advisory Will Expire at 900am ….
…. NWS/Wind Advisory Expires at 900am ….

In the 5am hour.. temperatures have settled to freezing or slightly below across the
area while most precipitation has now shifted east of the IH35 corridor. Light
patches of freezing rain.. sleet and perhaps a snowflake or two remain in some
areas.. most notably from Fredericksburg to Kerrville.. precipitation elements are
moving quickly northeast. Patchy freezing rain.. sleet and the occasional snow flake
is possible up through about the 7am to 8am hour this morning. I expect partial
clearing over the area by mid to late morning into midday.

Law enforcement agencies report that residual moisture has resulted in icy spots
on mainly bridges and overpasses across the area.. especially in Williamson and
northwestern Travis county.. all persons are urged to avoid travel first thing this
morning until temperatures go above the freezing mark by later this morning into
midday.

… Model Guidance Suggests Precipitation Tapers Off Before Daybreak …
… IH35 Metro Temperatures Steady and Holding Above the Freezing Mark …

At 130am… NWS Doppler weather radar suggests that one of the last waves of
precipitation is currently moving eastward across the IH35 corridor. Some lighter
precipitation may linger into wake of this current band into the 4 to 5am hour.

Our problem is that temperatures have been just a few degrees too warm.. as usual
right on the edge. After a steady fall into mid and late evening, the temperatures have
held rather steady about 2 to 3 degrees above freezing throughout the Austin metro and
the IH35 corridor metro areas over the last few hours. Keep in mind that temperatures
will still drop a few degrees before sunrise and even if precipitation ends, residual
moisture on elevated structures.. bridges.. overpasses and fly overs could freeze
even after precipitation tapers off.

Some areas of western Hays.. western Travis and western Williamson counties.. in areas
from west of Dripping Springs to Spicewood to Lake Travis and northward to Liberty Hill
are or have been at or just below freezing as precipitation falls so it is likely that some
patchy ice may have formed or will form in those areas before daybreak on elevated
structures.. bridges.. overpasses and fly overs in those areas.

A good source for current temperature data is the LCRA Hydromet…
http://hydromet.lcra.org/full.aspx
(Select “Austin Area” for  map depiction and “Current Temperatures” for data. Good
idea, too, to click show county lines.)

Meanwhile, we need to continue to be weather aware. The NWS issued WINTER STORM
WARNING and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY remains in effect until 12 noon today
or until we are notified otherwise by the NWS.

The NWS/Austin-San Antonio is looking at the situation as they prepare their forecast
update for the 3 to 4am hour..