Wintry mix in Austin's forecast: Wednesday temps near 80 before rain, snow, sleet Thursday

Leer en español: Clima en Austin: El miércoles será caluroso pero el jueves llega la lluvia, nieve

Enjoy the balmy air and sunshine while you can, Austin: Come Thursday, we'll be piling on the layers to stay warm and watching for potentially slick roads after a cold front delivers a wintry mix of sleet and possibly snow flurries before nighttime temperatures sink to the 20s.

What the National Weather Service forecast won't tell you, though, is that the run-up to the cold front and its aftermath will feel like three seasons packed into 24 hours

Wednesday's outlook for Austin calls for patchy fog between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. before skies clear up midmorning. But the day's most notable feature will be temperatures soaring as high as 77 degrees, which is about 15 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.

But just when you're ready to break out the shorts and sunglasses, a bitterly cold air mass will be lumbering into Central Texas late Wednesday.

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"A strong cold front exiting to our south and east Wednesday evening could generate a few showers and thunderstorms along the U.S. 77 corridor to near the Coastal Plains," the weather service said in a bulletin Tuesday. "In its wake, breezy to locally windy northerly winds are expected," including wind gusts as strong as 35 to 40 mph.

In Austin, look for more clouds Wednesday night with temperatures approaching freezing. North winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph in the city will add more bite to the chill.

Then on Thursday comes the wintry mix "that gradually spreads across the remainder of South Central Texas during the day into the evening," forecasters said, "then moves off to the southeast Thursday night into early Friday morning."

The weather service bulletin Tuesday warned of "a potential for a mix of precipitation types, including snow, sleet, freezing rain, and freezing drizzle."

"The most likely results will be icy spots on elevated surfaces including bridges and overpasses," forecasters said, adding that they "expect minimal impacts from frozen precipitation."

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Austin's outlook for Thursday calls for a 40% chance of rain, snow and sleet in the city throughout the day. Temperatures won't climb any higher than 41 degrees, which will feel even colder amid north winds of 15 mph with gusts as strong as 30 mph.

At night, even cloudy skies won't stop overnight temperatures from dropping to below freezing. The forecast low of 28 degrees won't be a record, but it would make the top 10 coldest readings for Jan. 20 in Austin, according to weather service data.

Bryce Bencivengo, a spokesperson for Austin's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said the office has been preparing for winter weather operations. He said the office is working with the National Weather Service, local power and energy providers and the Texas Division of Emergency Management to prepare for any hazardous conditions this week and to identify resources available for the community.

Shelters were activated this past weekend for those who needed shelter when temperatures dropped to near freezing. Anyone seeking shelter this week can call 512-305-4233 for information about availability, he said.

“We want to encourage the community to be weather aware throughout the week. Because the weather can change very quickly here,” Bencivengo said. “Check on those who are most vulnerable in your life. People who are elderly or immunocompromised may be affected by the cold. Bring pets inside. Cover plants that might be susceptible to cold weather, or bring them inside if you can. And then make sure outdoor faucets are insulated or covered.”

And don’t forget to check road conditions, Bencivengo said.

“We fully understand that there are people that have to be out on the roadways, that are going to have to go to do their jobs,” he said. “If you can’t stay home and you have to be out ... leave extra time and check the conditions of the roadways.”

More information on how to prepare for winter weather can be found at ready.gov/winter-weather

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The Texas Department of Transportation began to treat the bridges and overpasses on major roads in Austin on Tuesday and will continue on Wednesday, department spokesperson Diann Hodges told the American-Statesman.

"We are using a brine solution that can be placed a few days ahead of an event and will dry on the roads," Hodges said. "You can tell it has been applied by the white striping it leaves behind. It washes away with heavy rain, so we will be monitoring the weather conditions, in case it needs to be reapplied."

To stay safe on roads this week Hodges said drivers this week should:

• Use caution when driving over bridges and overpasses. These are the first to freeze.

• Reduce your speed. A vehicle needs at least three times more space to stop on a slick roadway. Do not apply the brakes suddenly, and avoid using cruise control, so you can respond better if you encounter slippery roads.

• Slow down when approaching emergency or maintenance vehicles, especially when their flashing lights are on. The law requires you to maintain a distance of at least 200 feet when approaching crews, and do not pass on the right. Visibility can also be reduced during winter weather conditions.

• Be patient. Your trip time – including short commutes to work – could increase during adverse weather conditions. Also, keep to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts through areas that might not have been treated.

• Winterize vehicles before traveling during adverse weather. Check fuel, tire, oil and antifreeze levels. Make sure heater, brakes and windshield wipers are working properly.

• Check area weather conditions on radio or television before starting a trip.

For real-time road conditions, check DriveTexas.org.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin's forecast: Wednesday temps near 80; rain, snow, sleet Thursday