Black Ice Hazards and 2-Hour Delays: San Antonio Commute Alert for Tuesday, Jan 27

Hazardous Morning Conditions After Arctic Blast

San Antonio commuters are urged to exercise extreme caution this morning, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. While the primary precipitation from the weekend’s winter storm has moved out of the area, a significant risk remains: refrozen ice. With the Extreme Cold Warning in effect through noon today, moisture on the roads from yesterday’s minor melting has refrozen into dangerous "black ice," particularly on elevated surfaces and bridges.

Critical Highway Alerts and Road Conditions

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues to monitor major arteries for slick spots. Drivers should be particularly wary of the following areas:

• Highway 90: Following a major crash yesterday near General McMullen Drive, crews have been working to treat the main lanes. However, remnants of ice are reported on the overpasses.
• I-10 West at Boerne Stage Road: This corridor saw multiple closures over the last 48 hours. While lanes are currently open, the frontage roads and exit ramps remain slick.
• Loop 1604 and I-35: Ongoing construction segments for the Loop 1604 North Expansion and the I-35 Northeast Expansion (NEX) have restricted shoulder access, leaving no room for error if a vehicle loses traction. Black ice has been reported on the temporary concrete barriers and narrow lanes near the I-10/Loop 1604 interchange.

School Delays Impacting Morning Rush

Commuters should expect a shift in typical traffic patterns this morning due to widespread educational schedule changes. San Antonio ISD and Goliad ISD have announced a two-hour delayed start for all campuses today to allow temperatures to rise slightly before buses hit the roads. Meanwhile, many Hill Country districts, including Blanco, Kerrville, and Ingram ISDs, remain closed entirely. The delayed start for local schools means that the secondary peak of morning traffic will likely hit between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

VIA Metropolitan Transit Updates

VIA Metropolitan Transit reports that bus and VIAtrans services are operating on regular schedules today, though minor delays are expected as operators navigate cautious speeds. This follows the implementation of the "Better Bus Plan" earlier this month, which increased weekday frequencies to 15 minutes during peak hours on several major routes. Riders are encouraged to use the transit app to track buses in real-time, as some North Side routes may experience detours if residential hills remain impassable.

Safety Reminders for Drivers

If you must travel before noon, increase your following distance to at least three times the normal length. Avoid cruise control, as it can cause wheels to spin if you hit a patch of ice. If your vehicle begins to slide, steer into the direction of the skid and avoid slamming on the brakes. Maintenance crews remain on standby to treat trouble spots as they are reported to 311.