Austin Weather Latest: 'Crippling' Ice Event Ongoing Wednesday

AUSTIN, TX — Amid a historic winter storm that is devastating Texas, leaving millions without power as energy consumption stresses the state's electric grid, a significant and crippling icing event is ongoing Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service says with the agency warning that travel is near impossible in the Hill Country and east of the I-35 corridor.

"Ice coated tree limbs and power lines could come down early this morning where heavier icing amounts have occurred," the NWS writes. "Partial melting of the ice is forecast this afternoon."

The freezing rain and sleet is forecast to stop temporarily later Wednesday morning. The NWS says a final round of freezing rain and sleet is expected Wednesday night, which will change to snow on Thursday.

So far, between 1/10 and 1/4 of an inch of ice has fallen with isolated amounts of about half an inch, the NWS says. With more icy weather forecast Wednesday night, the NWS says additional accumulation is possible.

The weather service is cautioning drivers to stay off the roads, saying travel is extremely discouraged.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Also on Wednesday, Austin Energy warned that customers should be prepared to not have power through the day and possibly longer. Those who have had sustained outages should expect those to continue until the weather improves, the energy company said.

Below is the detailed forecast from the National Weather Service for Austin:

Today: A slight chance of freezing rain before 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: A slight chance of freezing rain and sleet between midnight and 3am, then a slight chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A slight chance of snow and sleet before 9am, then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Below is the detailed forecast from the National Weather Service for Williamson County:

Today: A chance of freezing rain before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight: A slight chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 23. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A slight chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 10am, then a slight chance of snow between 10am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. North northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.