SYNOPSIS: An arctic blast brought a combination of freezing rain, sleet and snow into the northern portion of South Central Texas beginning Monday afternoon, February 24.  The wintery mixture began over the Hill Country and spread east and south to the Austin and San Antonio areas by Monday evening.  From Monday night into early Tuesday morning, the wintery mixture was accompanied by thunder.  The icy conditions continued through Tuesday, virtually bringing businesses and governmental offices to a halt.  Most area schools were forced to remain closed on Tuesday, in spite of the fact that required statewide skills assessment tests were scheduled that day.  Most schools were able to resume classes on a delayed basis on Wednesday, as the precipitation ended in the morning and temperatures were able to recover slowly above the freezing mark.

Winter Storm in GILLESPIE, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 19:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Freezing rain that began falling Monday afternoon caused the closing of numerous county roads by that evening.  All public and private schools remained closed on Tuesday.  Also, many county, city and private businesses remained closed on Tuesday.  Schools, offices and businesses reopened late on Wednesday morning.  The only loss of electric power was in the Stonewall area where a vehicle ran into a power poll, knocking out power to several dozen residences for around 3 hours.

Winter Storm in KENDALL, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 20:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Ice accumulations forced the closing of dozens of roads by late evening across the county.  I-10 was closed from late Monday night into Wednesday morning in the county.  Most city and county offices remained closed on Tuesday, along with area schools and businesses.  By noon on Wednesday, the wintery precipitation had ended and temperatures had recovered above the freezing mark.

Winter Storm in BLANCO, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 19:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 11:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

The winter storm struck first in the Texas Hill Country, producing ice accumulation by early evening of between 1/ 2 and 1 inch.  Many of the county roads were not usable by midnight Monday night and area schools and businesses shut down on Tuesday.  The storm moved out of the area, and temperatures recovered into the middle 30s by noon.

Winter Storm in BURNET, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 19:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 11:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Roads became icy early Monday evening and forced the closing of schools, offices and most businesses through the day on Tuesday.  Roads were reopened by noon on Wednesday.  No electrical outages were reported.

Winter Storm in WILLIAMSON, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 19:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 12:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Most state and city offices in the county closed early Monday afternoon, remained closed or operated with minimal staffs on Tuesday, and delayed opening until noon on Wednesday.  Most schools and many businesses were also closed on Tuesday.  Accidents north of the county caused backups on I35 southward to past Jarrell on Tuesday.  Several Georgetown restaurants remained open late Tuesday night to serve stranded motorists.

Winter Storm in MEDINA, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 22:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 07:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Ice and snow accumulations began Monday night, with sections of I-35 being shut down near midnight.  County roads were also closed for most of Tuesday.  Electric power experienced short failures only.  Several schools closed on Tuesday, while others opened in the late morning.  Damage was reported to trees and plants from the combination of cold temperatures and the ice.

Winter Storm in LLANO, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 19:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 11:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Authorities reported that roads and bridges began to ice over Monday night, forcing the closing of many county roads.  City and county offices, as well as most businesses and all area schools remained closed on Tuesday, and reopened near noon on Wednesday.  No power outages were indicated.

Winter Storm in TRAVIS, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 20:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

The winter storm struck Travis County Monday evening, knocking out power to nearly 11,000 homes that night in the north part of the city.  I-35 was shut down for much of Tuesday in Austin as most city and county bridges and elevated roads reported up to an inch of ice.  Most schools remained closed Tuesday with only a few opening in the late morning before closing up early in the afternoon.  Most city and county offices were closed or staffed at minimum levels and most business operated at reduced hours.  Travel was back to normal by noon on Wednesday.

Winter Storm in REAL, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 23:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Roads and bridges began to accumulate ice in Real County in the late evening and by midnight, many of them had been closed.  As a result of the icing problems, schools were closed on Tuesday, and did not reopen until mid-morning on Wednesday.  Many area businesses were also closed on Tuesday.

Winter Storm in CALDWELL, TEXAS
From 25-FEB-03 01:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 12:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Ice forced the closing of city and county roads shortly after midnight on Monday and the problems continued through the day Tuesday.  As a result, schools remained closed on Tuesday, as did government offices and many businesses.  Temperature remained below freezing until almost noon on Wednesday, after which conditions began to return to normal.

Winter Storm in EDWARDS, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 23:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Ice began to accumulate on county bridges just before midnight Monday night.  The accumulations forced the closing of several county roads through the day Tuesday and the early morning hours on Wednesday.  Schools were delayed opening on Tuesday and Wednesday.  A few businesses were also closed on Tuesday.

Winter Storm in FAYETTE, TEXAS
From 25-FEB-03 04:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 12:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Fayette County was one of the last counties to suffer the onslaught of the winter event, as the ice and snow did not develop until just before sunrise.  Conditions became severe enough that many of the county roads and bridges were closed by mid-morning on Tuesday and area schools were not able to open.  Conditions improved slowly in the late morning on Wednesday, and by afternoon, all was back to normal.

Winter Storm in LEE, TEXAS
From 25-FEB-03 02:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 12:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Roads began to ice over in Lee County after midnight Monday night.  Some schools decided not to open on Tuesday, while others operated a partial day and dismissed classes early.  Many city and county offices were closed through Tuesday.  By noon on Wednesday, all operations were back to normal.  No power outages were indicated.

Winter Storm in BASTROP, TEXAS
From 25-FEB-03 02:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 12:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Ice began causing problems late Monday evening, with numerous roads closed through the day on Tuesday.  All schools modified their schedules, with many of the schools deciding to remain closed on Tuesday, then reopening later on Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in COMAL, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 21:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Ice began to form Monday evening across the county, with numerous roads closed before midnight.  As a result, area schools were cancelled Tuesday.  Many of the city and county offices, as well as private businesses, were also closed on Tuesday.  Normal business and travel resumed by late morning Wednesday.

Winter Storm in HAYS, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 21:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Many county roads were closed late Monday night due to ice accumulations.  As the accumulations persisted into Tuesday, city and county government offices as well as schools and businesses were forced to remain closed.  Reopenings were delayed until late morning on Wednesday as the precipitation ended and temperatures recovered slowly into the mid 30s.

Winter Storm in GUADALUPE, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 22:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Freezing rain and sleet began falling in the evening, and by midnight most county bridges and numerous county roads had been closed due to ice.  By Tuesday morning, problems were so widespread that most schools and businesses, as well as city and county offices, remained closed.  Conditions began to improve Wednesday morning and by noon all activity was back to normal.

Winter Storm in BANDERA, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 22:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Roads in Bandera County began to ice over by late Monday night along with county bridges.  The roads and bridges were closed by midnight Monday night and remained closed until mid-morning on Wednesday.  Because of the widespread problem, Bandera schools remained closed on Tuesday, reopening in a delayed manner on Wednesday morning.  Most city and county offices, as well as private businesses, were closed on Tuesday.

Winter Storm in KERR, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 20:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

A buildup of ice and snow forced the closure of I-35 through Kerr County Monday evening.  Numerous local county roads were also closed.  Scores of motorists were stranded in motels along  I-35 through the day on Tuesday.  Many businesses and most schools remained closed on Tuesday, with delayed openings on Wednesday morning.  60 families lost electric power in the Kerrville area briefly on Monday evening.

Winter Storm in BEXAR, TEXAS
From 24-FEB-03 21:00:00 to 26-FEB-03 08:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Numerous roads, including sections of I-35, I-10, Loop 410 and Loop 1604 were shut down across Bexar County as ice accumulations beginning late Monday afternoon continued into the night.  Around 200 residences in South Bexar County lost power late Monday night after power lines failed under the weight of the ice.  Power was restored near noon on Tuesday.  Nearly all city, county and federal offices were closed on Tuesday, along with area schools and businesses.  Normal activity resumed by mid-morning on Wednesday as temperatures warmed above the freezing mark.  Numerous flights were cancelled at San Antonio International Airport on Tuesday due to the icing problems, stranding hundreds of passengers.  Over 300 miles of I-10 were shut down between San Antonio and Fort Stockton in the Texas Big Bend as a result of the ice.