AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s cold weather shelters have been extended through Friday night, as evening temperatures could dip into the mid-30s.
The shelters originally opened on Jan. 18 and were set to operate until at least Thursday, but have since been prolonged amid colder conditions.
While Friday’s high temperatures could reach 60 degrees, nighttime lows could drop to 35, according to the latest forecast.
Per city policy, warming centers open anytime temperatures hit 35 degrees or lower at Austin’s Camp Mabry. The unhoused population mainly uses the shelters, but anyone is permitted to stay overnight.
Shelter locations include libraries and Parks and Recreation facilities, such as the Austin Recreation Center, Austin Central Library and the Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center.
Registration is available from 6-8 p.m. at the One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Rd., and those interested will be taken to a shelter through CapMetro.
Winter weather impacts Central Texas
During this week’s cold snap, one person died on Monday and another died on Tuesday, according to Austin’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.
Emergency responders also assisted 35 people with cold-related illnesses, as several spots saw nearly an inch of snow.
The winter precipitation also impacted streets and bridges throughout the city, and some of CapMetro’s bus services were halted and/or limited on Monday and Tuesday.
Many Central Texas school districts also closed Tuesday after several inches of snowfall, and others were delayed Wednesday morning, as well.
City services are once again back to regular operations, and anyone interested in learning more about the warming centers can contact the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512-972-5055.