Breckenridge Texan

Frozen precipitation is already making roads slick in Breckenridge, as well as throughout a large area from south-central Texas into Oklahoma, including parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the Texas Panhandle. Rain and/or freezing rain is expected to continue for most of today, Wednesday, Jan. 2, turning to snow after midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

On Thursday, Jan. 3, the NWS predicts rain and snow, mainly before noon with a high near 38. The chance of precipitation on Thursday is 90 percent, and new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Cancellations

Some cancellations are starting to be reported. The Breckenridge Texan will add to this list as information becomes available. To submit a closing notice, send it to: news@breckenridgetexan.com

• TSTC — Texas State Technical College has closed its four West Texas campuses – Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater – immediately on Wednesday, Jan. 2, due to the forecast of freezing rain, sleet and icy conditions. TSTC will close all four West Texas campuses for the remainder of the day on Wednesday.
• Breckenridge Library — The Breckenridge Library is closed Wednesday, Jan. 2.
• Resource Care — Resource Care medical center is closed for the day on Wednesday and will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3.
• Stephens County Appraisal District will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3.

Road conditions

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Brownwood District has been pre-treating the highways for the wintery mix which may affect all nine of the district’s counties, which includes Stephens, Eastland, Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, and San Saba counties.

TxDOT roadway conditions statewide are available at DriveTexas.org or by calling 1-800-452-9292. The Brownwood District Twitter feed (@TxDOTBWD) will be updated as road conditions change. Other TxDOT Twitter feeds and the TxDOT Facebook page are also valuable resources for travel conditions across the state.  More winter weather travel information is available on the TxDOT website.

TxDOT crews will continue treating and removing snow from roadways as needed.

TxDOT uses brine (a solution of water and salt) as a treatment for roadways prior to freezing precipitation.  The brine is applied using spray nozzles attached to tanks mounted on the back of TxDOT trucks, forming a milky appearance on the roadway. The brine helps prevent the bonding of frozen precipitation to the pavement, aiding in the removal of snow and ice.

Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and check roadway conditions prior to travel this week.  TxDOT reminds motorists to follow these helpful tips when traveling in winter weather:

• Give yourself time to reach your destination and account for possible travel delays. Have patience and share the road with other drivers.
• Drive with caution, reduce speed and increase travel distance between your vehicle and others on the road (at least three times the normal following distance).
• Do not use cruise control.
• If you start to lose control, ease off the gas pedals or brakes. Steer into the direction of a skid until you can regain traction, and then straighten your vehicle.
• And if you don’t have to travel, stay home.