AUSTIN, Texas — Temperatures have already dropped, but now chances for wintry precipitation have increased.
It’s increasingly likely that Central Texas will experience wintry precipitation between Monday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon. The majority of snow and sleet will fall on Tuesday morning.
Snow is likely in the Austin metro and north, while areas south and east could see mainly sleet and some light icing. Some districts have also already canceled classes due to the weather. With that in mind, it’s important to remember how to stay safe on the roads in the event of ice, sleet or snow.
Here are some extra precautions you can take behind the wheel:
- Drop speeds down below the speed limit. Those are for normal weather conditions, not winter weather ones
- Keep three times the typical distance away from yourself and other vehicles
- Be cautious on overpasses, ramps and bridges – those are all areas that tend to freeze first
- If your vehicle begins to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer in the direction of the skid until you regain control
You should also get a maintenance check on your car to ensure it functions properly. Here’s how you can prepare your vehicle for a freeze.
Since cold weather also causes tire pressure to decrease, it’s important to monitor the pressure to prevent it from dropping too low and popping a tire.
Finally, always give yourself plenty of time to reach a destination safely. That includes time to defrost windows and slow down on the roads.