If eastern Texas is in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to the effects resulting from a strong cold front.
Travel Alert January 2018: Eastern Texas Winter Weather
Cold Arctic air is expected to plunge almost all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and result in a rapid fall in temperatures, which will cause an icy mix of precipitation to occur tonight into tomorrow from extreme northeastern Mexico to northeastern Louisiana — and even if the precipitation is in the form of rain, the moisture could freeze on the ground overnight and cause dangerously slippery conditions which may include black ice. Winter weather advisories are currently in effect.
Ice could also accumulate on power lines; and if the ice is heavy enough, power lines could snap and cause localized power outages.
Up to five inches of snow is possible from northeastern Texas to southern Arkansas. Dallas could experience two inches of snow; while heavier amounts are expected in Little Rock.
As an example of just how cold portions of eastern Texas will get, the low temperature in Dallas is expected to dip down to 21 degrees Fahrenheit with the wind chill hovering around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cities expected to be affected by this winter storm include Midland, Austin, Dallas, Laredo, Houston, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Shreveport. Slippery roads are expected; and power outages may be possible mainly from icing on power lines.
Many of the aforementioned areas are not used to such winter weather. Fortunately, temperatures are expected to moderate later this week, with temperatures warming into the 60s and 70s by this weekend.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to eastern Texas over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are eight airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and both airports in Houston for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Saturday, January 20, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for Austin, San Antonio, both airports in Dallas, and both airports in Houston for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Saturday, January 20, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Saturday, January 20, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Tuesday, January 30, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Monday, January 29, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Spirit Airways has issued travel alerts for Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Saturday, January 20, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued a travel alert for Dallas-Fort Worth for Tuesday, January 16, 2018.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for Austin, San Antonio, both airports in Dallas, and both airports in Houston for Tuesday, January 16, 2018; and Saturday, January 20, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Summary
Expect additional airlines to issue travel alerts within the next 24 hours — especially as this storm is moving towards the northeastern United States. Watch for an article with travel alerts for those areas.
In the meantime, be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
