Highland Lakes winter storm updates; Monday, Jan. 26
The Highland Lakes area was hit by a winter storm over the weekend, bringing icy conditions to most of Burnet and Llano counties. The H-E-B in Marble Falls was open throughout the ordeal. Staff photo by Maryum Mitchell
The Highland Lakes will continue to see sub-freezing lows following a winter storm that recently dumped sleet, snow, and freezing rain on Burnet and Llano counties. While the lows will remain below 32 degrees in the coming days, there is currently no precipitation on the forecast and highs should reach the 40s and 50s deep into the week.
The cold, wet, icy conditions may continue to cause travel delays and impact government and business hours on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Forecast
- Monday, Jan. 26- according to the National Weather Service, temperatures will likely drop to 11 degrees on Monday night, but there is no precipitation predicted for the remainder of the week.
- Tuesday, Jan. 27- the highs will climb above freezing, reaching an expected 45 degrees. The lows will remain below freezing at, at around 21 degrees.
- Wednesday, Jan. 28- the highs will stay in the high 40s and the lows will rise into the high 20s.
- Thursday, Jan. 29- highs will break into the high 50s, but the lows may remain just below freezing.
Travel updates
Many roads in the Highland Lakes area were considered hazardous or impassable over the weekend, leading to school closures, moved government meetings, altered business hours, and warnings from local law enforcement about dangerous driving conditions.
As of Monday afternoon, ice and snow have melted, but it could refreeze when temperatures drop again after sunset.
The Marble Falls Police Department is warning drivers about traversing RR 1431.
“East (RR) 1431 going towards Cedar Park has heavy ice on the roads which has resulted in multiple vehicles going off the roadway,” reads a statement from MFPD. “For residents attempting to go West on FM 1431, Lookout Mountain is mostly impassable. There are limited tow trucks for the region resulting in heavy delays to extract vehicles.”
As of Monday afternoon, Lookout Mountain on RR 1431 just east of Kingsland was still considered impassable.
All local agencies are advising to avoid travel or to drive with caution as of Monday.
“Road conditions are as bad or worse than yesterday (Sunday, Jan. 25),” reads a statement from the Burnet County Office of Emergency Management. “We urge everyone to stay off the roads until conditions improve. Road and Bridge crews as well as (Texas Department of Transportation) crews continue to attempt to clear roadways. Be sure to give them space to work safely. If you absolutely have to travel, stay away from bridges and overpasses, and avoid hills that may be troublesome.”
Closures and schedule changes
Some government offices, schools, and businesses could have impacted schedules and hours on Tuesday.
The Llano Independent School District, Marble Falls Independent School District, and Burnet Consolidated Independent School District announced on Monday afternoon that Tuesday classes would be canceled.
Check the school district’s social media pages for updates and changes:
–Marble Falls Independent School District
–Burnet Consolidated Independent School District
–Llano Independent School District
The Llano County Commissioners Court moved its regular meeting from 9 a.m. on Monday to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, at the same location, 752 Andy Taylor Drive in Llano.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court still plans to hold its regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at 220 S. Pierce Street.
City of Burnet offices will not open until 1 p.m. on Tuesday to allow for road assessments. Updates will be made on the city’s social media.