Power outages for San Antonio’s North Side improve, last rounds of freezing rain expected in the Hill Country through the overnight
Photos sent in via KSAT Connect show that freezing rain accumulation overnight resulted in tree limbs coming down, and subsequently powerlines falling across northern parts of San Antonio and Bexar County Wednesday morning. Remember that downed powerlines are dangerous and should be avoided. Those who live generally north of Loop 410 managed to find this ice accumulation overnight Tuesday and early Wednesday morning.
FRIGID FORECAST: Prepare for a hard freeze in South Central Texas ahead of Christmas weekend
Arctic, bitterly cold air will spill across Texas the Thursday (12/22) before Christmas weekend. This will bring the first killing freeze of the season to San Antonio, and a hard freeze is likely for a few mornings as temperatures plummet into the teens and 20s.
Report: Winter Texans are coming back, and they’ve already spent $1B
Welcome Home RGV partnered with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Data and Information Systems Center to compile the report. The report showed that this season Winter Texans and visiting family and friends contributed an estimated $1.2 billion in expenditures to the local economy. The report broke down those numbers as $825.3 million spent by winter visitors and $360.9 million “was spent by their guests for food, travel, entertainment, lodging, etc.,” according to the report. “The winter Texans of today are a lot younger than they’ve ever been. Even though the 2021-22 Winter Texan season has come to an end, Collier said the Valley is now entering the “converted Texan” season, a term given to Winter Texans who decided to remain in the Valley permanently.
myrgv.comIn ‘Against the Ice,’ Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Is Not in King’s Landing Anymore
The Netflix film tells the true story of an early 20th-century explorer and his engineer fighting to survive in the Arctic. We talked to the ‘Game of Thrones’ star about what it was like filming on location in Greenland and Iceland in extreme conditions.
outsideonline.comOlympians worry as 'Winter' disappears from Winter Games
Ski racers settling into the start gate for Alpine World Cup events in the Rocky Mountains in early December squinted through sunshine that carried the temperature toward 50 degrees and glanced down at a course covered with pristine — and manufactured — snow. If they looked up and across the way, beyond the finish line, they saw adjacent hills that were brown and barren as can be, with nary a trace of powder or any indication that this was a setting for athletes who would be heading to the Beijing Olympics that begin Feb. 4. It is a troubling reality and — given their own reliance on the production of snow, continent-hopping flights powered by diesel fuel and other environment-unfriendly offshoots of their careers — hard-to-reconcile push-and-pull for many of those who will be competing in Alpine skiing or freestyle skiing or snowboarding or Nordic combined events or other outdoor sports that helped put the disappearing “Winter” in Winter Games.
news.yahoo.comBritish white supremacist, initially sentenced to read Austen and Dickens, imprisoned on two-year bid
Ben John, who had been described as an extremist with neo-Nazi sympathies by British police, was originally told to read grea works of English literature before his sentence was overturned.
washingtonpost.comBig California storm dumps snow, drenches parched regions
Winter arrived early in Northern California with wind, rain and snow that was expected to intensify Monday as forecasters warned that mountain passes will probably be closed to traffic and areas burned by wildfires could face rockslides and mudslides following an especially warm and dry fall across the U.S. West. The multiday storm, a powerful “atmospheric river” weather system that is sucking up moisture from the Pacific Ocean, raised the threat of flooding and was expected to dump more than 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow on the highest peaks in California and Nevada and drench other parts of the two states before it moves on midweek, forecasters said. “This is a pretty widespread event,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Wanless in Sacramento. “Most of California, if not all, will see some sort of rain and snow.”
news.yahoo.comAstonishing early winter heat grips U.S., Canada and shatters records
A widespread and intense heatwave is roasting large portions of the U.S. and Canada, shattering daily and monthly temperature records. Why it matters: Winter is the fastest-warming season across the U.S., and the lingering warmth is shortening the snow season in places like Colorado and Montana, where mountain snowpack is a critical source of water during the summer months. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.The big picture: On Wednesday, British Columbia
news.yahoo.comRetail stocks to watch after February's larger-than-expected sales decline
The SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) closed down 2% on Tuesday, reflecting the decline. Winter appeared to be a contributor, but with an approaching economic reopening, stimulus and spring weather, retail may bounce back, TradingAnalysis.com founder Todd Gordon told CNBC's "Trading Nation" on Tuesday. "It was set from a high-water mark from the prior reading," he said of February's larger-than-expected drop. Gina Sanchez, founder and CEO of Chantico Global, said analysts always expected higher retail growth in the spring than the winter. When it came to the reopening, Sanchez was focused on stocks of companies offering various consumer services.
cnbc.comHospital visits for slips, falls increased during last week’s winter storm, San Antonio doctors say
Shahrestani says it’s been a busy week for his office as many victims of falls follow up for care. Last week, the average was about 17 per day, according to Dr. Ralph Riviello, professor and chair of emergency medicine at UT Health San Antonio and University Hospital. Out of 1,870 patients who visited the University Hospital ER between Feb. 13 and Feb. 21, more than 140 were weather-related fall visits. AdBaptist Health System reports 335 falls and slips visits between Feb. 15 and Feb. 19 at all its San Antonio locations and another 87 at Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels. Baptist Health System urges the community to exercise extreme caution when walking outdoors on wet, icy or uneven surfaces, which can prove very dangerous.
Some frustrated San Antonio-area residents still lack water at their apartment complexes
SAN ANTONIO – Water issues continue to frustrate residents who live in apartment complexes that sustained damage to their pipes and water system during last week’s winter storms. She says her water service lacks pressure, and the restrooms don’t work correctly. Garza captured video of furniture and personal materials dumped out because of the water damage leaks caused in the apartment buildings. Residents who have problems reaching the management at their apartment complex should contact the Neighborhood Housing Services Department 210-207-6459. The City of Schertz, where the Rim Stonecrest apartments are located, says it has been in touch with the complex management about the water issues.
San Antonio nurseries prepared for the winter storm, and it resulted in minimal damage for some
SAN ANTONIO – Nursery owners across the San Antonio area spent the weekend assessing their losses from last week’s winter storms and gearing up for their busy season. He says every greenhouse, building tent and part of the store was filled with plants, shrubs and trees. That actually helped us conserve propane,” Keith said. Keith said many citrus trees aren’t coming back if you didn’t protect them before the winter storm. “But there will be a bit of material that is a little bit harder to locate.
‘We should have been a priority’: Consumers may feel the pinch at checkout after Texas farmers hit hard by winter storm
ST. HEDWIG, Texas – Farmers across Texas were hit hard by the recent winter storm and rotating blackouts that knocked out power in many communities. Consumers can expect to feel the effects at the grocery store, with empty shelves and higher prices for some products. But the Scotts could not make it through the 2021 winter storm that left much of Texas without power. State relief for farmers is not available, and federal funds are slow to trickle in, according to the agriculture commissioner. The Texas Department of Agriculture has the STAR Fund, which is made up of private donations that help farmers during a disaster.
Master plumber offers advice to Do-it-Yourselfers experiencing frozen pipes
SAN ANTONIO – James Hurtado says even with the foam insulation protecting his pipes, there were problems with his home that’s on elevated beams after wintry weather hit Texas. He says the hardware store was buzzing with do-it-yourselfers who had to fix their own problems when it was difficult for professionals to travel during the wintry weather. That’s how it kind of was in the plumbing department.”Master plumber Brad Harrell, with Harrell Commercial Plumbing, says you’ll be lucky if you find the parts you need right now. The master plumber says even people who took precautions found themselves with frozen pipes. AdSAWS to open bulk water distribution sites FridayHarrell said if you find yourself with a leak now, shut off your main water meter.
Snowmen melted to wash dishes, flush toilets as water issues continue to affect San Antonio residents
SAN ANTONIO – Outside Gloria Perez’ home in the Highland Park area is a melting snowman, the leftover snow will likely soon be used to wash dishes or flush her family’s toilet. They turn down water. “We filled up containers because that’s all we’re using And and we’re using bottled water to brush your teeth, you know, to wash dishes,” Flores said. The San Antonio Water System announced on Wednesday that a precautionary boil water advisory is in place due to the low water pressure in the area. SAWS shared a map of the areas where they say they have issues pumping water into communities to provide service.
Families relieved to find warmth, safety arrive at city’s warming center
SAN ANTONIO – Families looking for a warm place to stay finally found relief Tuesday as the City of San Antonio opened up a warming center at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Carl Serth, his wife, daughter and grandson were among the first to arrive at the warming center after trying to survive at home since 5 a.m. Tuesday without any power. San Antonio police officers drove others to the shelter. Families said they were grateful to finally have a warm place for their frightened little ones. The warming center can fit up to 500 people and possibly more.
H-E-B stores remove limits on bread, milk, meat items following winter storm crisis
H-E-B partner confirmed positive for COVID-19, store officials saySAN ANTONIO – All H-E-B stores have returned to normal operating hours and product purchasing limits have been reduced following the dangerous wintry conditions that spread across the region just weeks ago. Items such as bakery bread, tortillas, milk, and all meat items are no longer being limited for customers, according to the grocery chain’s website. Listed below are H-E-B’s current product purchasing limits:Food items (all H-E-B stores, does not apply to Joe V’s Smart Shop stores in Houston)Water Gallons – Limit 2Water multipack – Limit 2Baby Water Gallons – Limit 2Baby Water multipack – Limit 2Ice – Limit 2Food items (only for H-E-B stores in the Border area)Eggs (smaller than 30 count) – Limit 2Eggs (count 30 or larger) – Limit 1Non-food items (all H-E-B stores)Paper towels – Limit 2 (does not apply to Joe V’s Smart Shop stores in Houston)Propane Tanks – Limit 2Aerosol disinfectant sprays – 2 items(Isopropyl) Alcohol swabs – 2 itemsFirst Aid and Cleaning Gloves – 2 itemsTrial & Travel Size Disinfectant Wipes/Sprays – Limit 2Charcoal – Limit 2Real-time updates to store hours and operations can be found on H-E-B Newsroom at heb.com/newsroom. This article will be continuously updated. Check back for the latest information.
‘No one to speak to’: CPS Energy customers frustrated, concerned for vulnerable community members amid rotating outages
He says his calls to CPS Energy for answers about when the power would be restored have gone unanswered. CPS Energy CEO Paula Gold-Williams said every energy system is stressed across the state. Rudy Garza, with CPS Energy, says CPS Energy is reaching out to its customers via all social media platforms, calls, and emails. While temperatures will continue to affect the energy consumption, CPS Energy expects the outages to continue, so the company urges customers to make plans. With energy reductions driven by outage management, CPS Energy used more than 4,954 MW yesterday, which was a winter record.
H-E-B closing many stores Monday due to wintry weather in San Antonio, surrounding areas
SAN ANTONIO – This story will no longer be updated. H-E-B will keep some of its San Antonio and Hill Country stores closed Monday because of icy road conditions. With temperatures expected to stay below freezing until Tuesday afternoon, H-E-B has adjusted store hours across the state of Texas. Some customers reported long lines at checkouts and curbside at some San Antonio stores ahead of the winter storm. You can get the very latest forecast and check out the interactive radar anytime by bookmarking our weather page and downloading the KSAT Weather Authority App - available for both Apple and Android devices.
TxDOT cancels construction road closures ahead of winter weather
#BeSafeDriveSmart #EndTheStreakTX pic.twitter.com/CS54tnaIKr — TxDOT (@TxDOT) February 12, 2021The following list of construction closures have been canceled through Feb. 17:Loop 1604 – North Central San AntonioMonday, Feb. 15 until Friday, Feb. 19. Nightly 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Full northbound frontage road closure from Loop 1604 to Sonterra Boulevard for concrete paving. Alternating northbound frontage road closure from Loop 1604 to Stone Oak/Tournament Players Club (TPC) Parkway for concrete paving. Alternating northbound frontage road closure from Evans Road to Marshall Road for a traffic switch. DETOURS: Graytown Road traffic may use the frontage road and the Pfeil Road underpass or Loop 1604 turnaround to cross I-10.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo modifying some events ahead of inclement weather this weekend
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is making changes as temperatures in our area drop, with inclement weather expected throughout the weekend and into early next week. Ticket holders arrived at the rodeo on opening night on Friday, only to be greeted by gripping low temperatures. Rodeo staff who anticipated the subfreezing temperatures made some modifications to keep rodeo goers warm and happy. Lauren Sides, public relations and communications manager for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, said event organizers have had to postpone some of their livestock shows and shift other events. For more updates and information, visit the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo website by clicking here.
Wacky weather makes for a Winter like none before
The weather the past few weeks has not produced what most would call normal conditions. Balmy temperatures in the Northeast, heavy flooding out West, and deadly twisters in the South and Midwest have many Americans wondering why Spring-like conditions are turning up in December. Mark Strassmann has a report on the cause of this strange weather.
cbsnews.com11/11: Wintry blast continues battering U.S.; A soldier's fight to end suicide among veterans
11/11: Wintry blast continues battering U.S.; A soldier's fight to end suicide among veterans Winter weather is wreaking havoc on America's heartland. As WCCO's Jamie Yuccas reports, it's expected to send temperatures below freezing in every state except Hawaii and Florida; And, every day, 22 veterans commit suicide -- more than 8,000 per year. Mark Strassmann talks with Lt. Justin Fitch, a soldier battling colon cancer and spending what time he has left to keep other soldiers alive.
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