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Today’s Forecast

47º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:27 a.m. | Sunset 5:54 p.m.
 

❄️There’s snow place like home

The history of snow in Austin, TX
A black-and-white photograph of a suburban street covered in snow. A large Chevrolet Suburban is parked on the snowy road, with visible tracks in the slush. A person wearing winter gear is skiing behind the vehicle, holding onto a rope for balance. Snow blankets the surrounding trees and houses, capturing a rare winter moment in Austin, Texas. The image is credited to the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
Austinite Jackie Gerber skis behind a station wagon on modified water skis in January of 1985. | Photo courtesy of Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
Some parts of the Austin metro saw light snowfall from the arctic cold front that blew into Central Texas this week.

The residents of Del Valle woke up to a dusting of snow Monday — just enough to last a morning and to make a few snowballs.

In recognition of the event, we decided to do some reflection on snowfall in ATX.

Average snow in Austin

Freezing rain, sleet, and/or snow falls on Austin about once every two to three years. Austinites know that when it snows, it’s not likely to be a lot: since 2010, snowfall has only exceeded one inch one time.

The annual snowfall average is ~0.2 inches in ATX, making Austin pretty snow sparse compared to some other Texas cities, like:
  • Lubbock: 7 inches
  • Dallas: 1.7 inches
  • Waco: 0.7 inches
However, Austinites do still get more snow than other nearby towns. Killeen, and New Braunfels get so little snow, the cities report an annual snowfall of zero inches.
A graph showing historic snowfall by the amount of inches of snow that fell

February 2021 brought the fourth-highest snowfall in Austin history.

|

Graphic by ATXtoday

Historic snow in Austin

Historically, there have been only five recorded snow storms that have dumped 6+ inches of snow in ATX: 1937, 1944, 1949, 1966, and (of course) 2021.

Austin’s most substantial snowfall in history happened in 1937, when a November storm dropped 11 inches over the city.

This sounds like a lot — and it is — but it’s not as high as the record snowfall in some of Texas’ other major cities:
Let’s not forget the largest snowfall in Texas history. In 1929, a whopping 26 inches fell on Hillsboro, just short of two hours’ drive north of Austin.

Looking forward

We appear to have made it through one arctic cold front, Austin, but brace yourselves: another is on the way. Expect temperatures to drop again Thursday night, with highs anticipated to hover in the 40s all weekend.
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 17
  • Sprouts | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 10-11 a.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin | Free | This children’s program centers on nature play and includes a sensory activity, nature walk, and story.
  • Women Investor Meetup | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Open House Austin, 1204 Salina St., Austin | $20 | Attend this speed dating-style meetup to network with others in business.
Thursday, Jan. 18
  • “The Princess Bride": An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes | Thursday, Jan. 18-Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $35-$45 | Join Westley for three evenings taking a behind-the-scenes look at this classic fantasy story.
  • Memphis Hustle vs. Austin Spurs | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 7 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $10-$180 | Cheer on the Spurs as they face down the Tennessee team on Military Night.
Friday, Jan. 19
  • No Comply 17th Anniversary Party | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. | Empire Control Room & Garage, 606 E. 7th St., Austin | Free with RSVP | End your weekend with some live music from Pinky Rings, Waul of the Weald, and others.
Saturday, Jan. 20
  • Vino Vinyasa | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin | $30 | Get in some yoga before sipping wine on the lawn overlooking the lake — remember to bring your mat.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Drink

Sip, sip, hooray
sm-6am-mocktails-article-V1.png
These alcohol-free drinks can raise your spirits this new year. | Photo provided by Six & Main
We’re mixing up the new year with tasty mocktails perfect for hosting a party, enjoying a night at home, or simply quenching your thirst in a new delicious way.

For the inspiring mixologists, we suggest the Hibiscus Cardamom Syrup by Portland Syrups. Want to practice your bartending skills? We’ve got you covered with this Cherry Limeade by Simple Times Mixers — all you have to do is add your favorite soda water. If you’re more of a pour-and-go type of person, choose any of these flavors from Sarilla.

Join us in raising a glass (or can) and toasting to tasty, alcohol-free indulgence.
Try these recipes
News Notes
Weather
  • Austin plumbers responded to hundreds of calls for frozen pipes amid several days of sub-freezing temperatures. Remember to drip your faucets and insulate exposed lines ahead of another cold front later this week. (KVUE)
Closing
  • Southwest Austin’s Beerburg Brewing will close on its four-year anniversary this Saturday, Jan. 20. Owner Trevor Nearburg did not announce a specific reason for the closure, but did say the brewery will host a closing party with discounts and possibly special tappings.
Biz
  • Veloway Threads purchased eight more properties in the St. Elmo Arts District last month. The company — which owns The Yard and facilities for Still Austin and St. Elmo Brewing — now owns 1.75 million sqft of developable space in south Austin. (Austin Business Journal)
Development
  • The nearly 110-year-old St. Annie African Methodist Episcopal Church will be transformed into a duplex. The Historic Landmark Commission approved plans to renovate the space while preserving the church’s silhouette. (Austin Monitor)
Coming Soon
  • A 63-acre retail center is headed to Manor, and is expected to contain a Home Depot, T.J. Maxx, and 110,000-sqft grocery store that may become an H-E-B. The center is anticipated to open in 2025 — see the full list of confirmed tenants. (Austin American-Statesman)
Legacy
  • John Brotherton, a pitmaster at Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville, died this week after suffering a medical event earlier this year. Read more about Brotherton’s legacy and his experience building up the staple restaurant. (Austin Business Journal)
Festival
  • Dan Auerbach, Jane Fonda, Dwyane Wade, and Elijah Wood will join the already star-studded list of speakers making an appearance at SXSW. See the full list of keynotes to plan your festival experience.
 
Civic

Expanding mental health services

Travis County to launch a pilot mental health diversion center
The Austin skyline, as seen from Lady Bird Lake
Travis County plans to establish a permanent mental health diversion center in the Austin area by 2030. | Photo by ATXtoday
Travis County is one step closer to testing out a mental health diversion center in Austin.

The vision for this center is to provide an additional option for people who are in need of acute mental health assistance that isn’t jail or the emergency room. The pilot center is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

At the pilot center, ~25 people at a time could receive medication, treatment, counseling, and other resources for roughly two weeks at a time. Eligibility is still being workshopped.

The pilot program is expected to cost ~$12 million and operate out of existing buildings. The permanent facility, which was approved last year, isn’t expected to be up and running for at least five years.

Learn more about mental health planning in Travis County.
The Buy

The Buy 1.17.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The No. 1 best-selling GUESS women’s fashion sneaker, which has a sleek and slim design and modern color choices (including some sparkling metallics).
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
These past few days have been reminding me of the two winters I spent in the Midwest, when I lived in Indiana. All I can say is, I’m glad we only get a few days of freezing weather each year, rather than a few months.
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