AUSTIN, Texas — It may be sunny now, but winter has made its presence felt across Texas. The KVUE Weather Team is tracking a weather-maker that could bring wintry precipitation to Central Texas later this week.
While the forecast is still fluid, the highest likelihood of a wintry mix will be along and west of the Interstate 35 corridor. If you’re heading north to watch the Texas Longhorns take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, your chances of dealing with snow on the roads are high.
Even though the wintry weather isn’t a guarantee, it’s important to remember how to stay safe on the roadways in the event of ice, sleet or even snow. There are some extra precautions drivers can take when they get behind the wheel.
Here are some tips:
- Drop speeds down below the speed limit. Those are set at normal weather conditions, not winter weather ones
- Keep three times the typical distance away from another vehicle
- Be cautious on overpasses, ramps and bridges – all areas that tend to freeze first
- If your vehicle begins to slide, the Texas Department of Transportation recommends easing off the gas pedal or brakes and steering into the direction of the skid until the driver regains control
Texas is prone to temperature fluctuations quickly, but colder and sometimes icier days are more likely in January and February. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests drivers get a maintenance check on their cars to ensure they are functioning properly. That advice rings especially true now that annual safety inspections are no longer a thing in Texas.
The cold weather also causes tire pressure to decrease. While this is normal, the NHTSA said it is important to keep an eye on the pressure to prevent it from dropping too low and popping the tire.
Finally, always give yourself plenty of time to get to a destination safely. That includes time to defrost windows and slow down on the roads.