Icy conditions prompt delays

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The ice storm that pretty much had northern Texas at a standstill Tuesday reached just far enough south to have parts of Central Texas out scraping windshields and rearranging schedules.

Ice and freezing rain Tuesday – the product of a cold front that sent temperatures plunging below freezing – triggered dozens of accidents on roads in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and as far south as Waco, according to reports from The Associated Press. The wintry weather caused the delay or cancellation of nearly 200 flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

At Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, three American Eagle flights were canceled early Tuesday because of conditions in Dallas. All three major airlines at Killeen-Fort Hood – Continental, Delta and American Airlines

– could not get the first flights scheduled to depart Tuesday off the ground because the corresponding inbound flights never arrived, a result of Monday night's foggy conditions.

John Sutton, director of aviation at the airport, said local conditions Tuesday did not prevent any incoming or outgoing flights. Any delays and cancelations were the result of conditions at other airports.

"Tonight's a different story," Sutton said Tuesday evening. "We just don't know, but it doesn't look good."

Locally, the National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for Central Texas that began Tuesday afternoon and continued until this morning. The NWS forecast called for increased chances of freezing rain overnight, with temperatures dipping into the mid-20s and up to a tenth of an inch in ice accumulation.

Tuesday at Fort Hood, the threat of ice prompted an early dismissal on post. Physical training for soldiers was canceled for today, and reporting time for military personnel and garrison non-essential personnel was delayed until 9 a.m. today.

All Killeen ISD athletic events were postponed Tuesday, many rescheduled for today (see story, page C1). The start of classes for Florence ISD and Lampasas ISD were delayed until 10 a.m. today.

Central Texas College, Tarleton-Central Texas and Temple College all closed classes early Tuesday.

Coryell County issued an ice storm warning Tuesday afternoon. County government buildings and operations closed at 4 p.m. In Copperas Cove, city building openings and operations were delayed until 9:30 a.m. today.