Saturday, January 31, 2026 - Austin rolled out of bed to clear skies and a bite in the air, with temperatures near 36°F and a stiff north-northeast wind making it feel even colder. A Cold Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service stays in effect through 10 a.m. CST for parts of the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor, so the morning commute is doing its best impression of mid-winter, no matter what the calendar says.
Cold Weather Advisory This Morning
The advisory calls for wind chills between 13°F and 20°F and urges anyone spending extended time outside to take extra precautions, since prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia. Low temperatures are expected to dip into the mid to upper 20s tonight, with some Hill Country neighborhoods dropping into the low 20s. Details on the advisory and forecast are available from the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.
City Response And Travel
The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center is still activated, and the city is keeping 24-hour cold-weather shelters and warming centers open for anyone who needs them. Earlier in the week, officials delayed municipal operations, and some transit schedules may still be limited, so riders are urged to check for updates. CapMetro has posted service alerts, and our earlier coverage of the earlier two-hour delay, along with the City of Austin, lists shelter locations and service changes.
Weekend Outlook And Next Week
Sun should stick around this afternoon, with highs near 45°F and overnight lows falling back into the mid 20s. North-northeast winds of 5 to 10 mph are expected, with gusts up to 25 mph keeping things feeling brisk. Sunday looks milder with a high around 59°F, followed by a rapid warmup Monday and Tuesday, when highs climb into the mid 60s Monday and near 73°F Tuesday. There is only a low chance of rain Tuesday night into Wednesday. Those timing and temperature trends come from the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.
Commute And Safety Tips
For the morning drive, layering up is the move, and drivers should watch for slick spots on shaded roads, bridges and overpasses, where any melting can quickly refreeze. Residents are urged to bring pets indoors, protect exposed pipes, and use space heaters with care. Generators should never be run inside. If you need a warm place to go, One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Road) and Austin Central Library (710 W. Cesar Chavez Street) have been used as embarkation or warming locations during recent operations.
This story will be updated if the advisory changes, but for now expect a frosty start, afternoon sun, and a noticeable warmup heading into next week.
