FYI

From: Linda Mahoney
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 8:37 AM
To: Becky Sanchez; Agustin Llano; Alan Vince; Alfred Silva; Barbara Smith; Gail Pizzola; Joleen Reynolds; Leticia Duncan; Lisa Buentello; Nancy Martin; Tammy Wyatt; Tricia Kobberdahl
Cc: Lawrence Williams; Monica Lucero; Irene Coad; Janet Allen-Mcconkey; Margaret Garcia
Subject: EM Alert: Winter Weather Outlook - Thursday & Friday
Importance: High

FYI

From: Debbie (Howard) Rappaport
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 8:34 AM
Subject: FW: EM Alert: Winter Weather Outlook - Thursday & Friday
Importance: High

Please forward this information to your faculty and staff.

Thanks,

Debbie

Debbie Howard

Executive Assistant

The University of Texas at San Antonio

debbie.howard@utsa.edu

From: Lorenzo Sanchez
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 4:30 PM
To: Be Prepared
Subject: EM Alert: Winter Weather Outlook - Thursday & Friday
Importance: High

UTSA Preparedness Partners,

A strong arctic front will be moving into the San Antonio metro Thursday morning (7 – 8 am), bringing with it blustery, chilly, and wintry conditions.  Beginning Thursday, temperatures will drop from the mid-40’s during the morning rush hour to below freezing as the day progresses.  At this time, the National Weather Service (NWS) continues to warn of the possibility for a wintry mix of light sleet and snow developing Thursday evening around 6:00 pm, with a continued chance through noon on Friday.  Precipitation totals of sleet/snow within city limits will range from a trace to a quarter of an inch, and areas north of 1604 may see between a quarter to a half inch; accumulations will be minimal.  Elevated surfaces, such as bridges, overpasses, fly-overs, walkways, and concrete surfaces are areas of concern.  Ground level areas may remain warm enough to melt any frozen precipitation.  A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for our area from midnight to noon on Friday.

Preparedness and Recommendations:

· UTSA Emergency Operations Center:  Activated to a level III – monitoring and assessment.

· UTSA Departments:  Secure sensitive equipment from freezing conditions if stored outside or in vulnerable areas.  Monitor the Campus Alerts website over the next 48 hours. 

· UTSA Facilities:  UTSA is in a state of readiness, and will implement components of the ice plan as necessary to keep university roads and walkways safe.

· Protect pipes, plants, people, and pets from freezing conditions.

· Limit outdoor activities and take frequent breaks to warm-up; dress in layers.

· Use caution on roadways, as there may be slick spots on rural roads, bridges, overpasses, and other areas.

Resources:

· National Weather Service – San Antonio:  http://www.weather.gov/austin

· UTSA Campus Alerts Webpage:  www.alerts.utsa.edu – Monitor the Campus Alerts website for the latest information on campus operations.

· 458-SNOW (7669):  The hotline has been updated and will continue to be as conditions warrant.

· Street Closures:  http://www.sanantonio.gov/public-works/emergencystreetclosures.aspx

Please forward this information to your department stakeholders.  Additional updates will be provided on Thursday – see the full NWS discussion in the email below.  Thanks!

THURSDAY EVENING - FRIDAY

FRIDAY MIDNIGHT - NOON

______________________________

Lorenzo D. Sanchez, MPA, CEM

Director of Emergency Management

The University of Texas at San Antonio

University Police Department

Office of Emergency Management

One UTSA Circle

San Antonio, Texas 78249

Phone:  (210) 458-6756

Mobile: (210) 464-5793

Fax:  (210) 458-7602

Email:  lorenzo.sanchez@utsa.edu

Website:  www.utsa.edu/utsapd

Campus Alerts:  http://alerts.utsa.edu/

******

From: Jon Zeitler [mailto:jon.zeitler@noaa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 4:05 PM
Subject: Issued 400 pm Wed 22 Jan 2014 : Winter Weather Event Outlook for Thursday/Friday

South Central Texas Partners...

...HEADLINE...A mix of light sleet, snow, and freezing rain, across all of South Central Texas from 6 pm Thursday to 2 pm Friday.

...AREA OF CONCERN...Winter precipitation accumulations on elevated surfaces north of a line from Del Rio to San Antonio to Schulenburg.  A wintry mix is expected elsewhere (Rio Grande and Coastal Plains) but we are not looking for significant accumulations at this time.

...IMPACTS...Light icing from sleet and snow mainly on bridges and overpasses, and anything where the object will be the same as the air temperature (e.g., car roofs and windshields). Roads will generally be ok since the warm ground will melt the falling precipitation. However, less traveled roads in the Hill Country and Williamson County could also see some light accumulations and icy conditions.  The late evening commute (after 6 pm) could be impacted Thursday evening. The morning commute on Friday morning will be significantly impacted.  Cold temperatures will be in place Thursday and Friday...with highs only in the 30s to low 40s and wind chills in the teens and low 20s.

...TIMING...Mainly 6 pm Thursday to Noon Friday. Some concern in the Coastal Plains east of I-35 until 2 pm Friday afternoon.

...DISCUSSION...
Another Arctic cold front will move through South Central Texas a few hours either side of sunrise Thursday morning.  High temperatures on Thursday will occur during the morning, then temperatures fall through the day as the cold air moves in, staying in the 30s and 40s during the afternoon.  A weak disturbance will move out of the Rockies and across Texas Thursday night into Friday. While precipitation will be light, the forecast models match our experience with these systems, indicating winter precipitation starting Thursday afternoon in the Hill Country, and spreading southeast Thursday night into Friday. Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing across all of South Central Texas before midnight Friday morning.

We expect a mix of sleet and snow, with accumulation mainly across the northern half of the area...north of a line from Del Rio...to San Antonio...to Schulenburg. This best chances to see accumulations are in the Hill Country and Williamson County where we are currently forecasting around 1 inch of accumulation of snow.  Other areas should only see a dusting. Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing by Friday afternoon so if this event does occur...it should be be quickly gone by the afternoon.

Graphics for Thursday and Friday are below.

You can get the latest forecasts and watches/warnings/advisories by going to the Austin-San Antonio National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/austin

-Jon Zeitler
National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio TX