WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Threats of severe winter weather are forcing several closures in and around Temple.

According to Sarah Barnes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Temple likely will wake up to a winter mess Thursday morning.

Rains are expected to start Wednesday night, transitioning to freezing rain and sleet around 3 a.m. About a quarter-inch of ice topped with an inch of sleet is expected.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-teens Thursday and Friday night, and the Friday morning wind chill will be minus-3.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple will remain open, but clinics and outpatient centers are modifying schedules for the next two days.

“The safety of our team members and the community is our top priority,” said BSW spokesperson Deke Jones. “We encourage patients who have an upcoming appointment to call their provider’s office or reach out using MyBSWHealth to confirm appointment details.”

BSW virtual care options will remain available, including same-day care for many common conditions.

“As always,” Jones said, “if you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.”

Temple ISD will be closed Thursday because of deteriorating weather conditions.

“This closure includes the cancellation of extracurricular activities,” said TISD spokesperson Jon Wallin. “We will resume normal operations on Friday unless communicated otherwise.”

Bell County announced Wednesday afternoon that it would close its offices on Thursday, also encouraging residents to watch its website or social media account for any updates.The Feb. 4, 5 and 6 performances of The Last of the Red-Hot Lover have been canceled, but the show is still set for Feb. 10, 11, 12 and 13, according to Ruby Jett of Temple Civic Theatre.

Auditions for Inherit the Wind are still set for Sunday and Monday evenings, Feb. 6 and 7 at the theater.

Temple Public Library will be closed Thursday. Visit explore.tpl.com Friday to see if the library will open that day.

All VA outpatient clinics and procedures previously scheduled for Thursday will take place via VA Video Connect or by telephone if possible. Some appointments will be rescheduled for a future date, according William Negron, a spokesman for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System.

“This does not include the Emergency Room in Temple,” Negron said. “It will remain open. There will be skeleton crews at the VA centers in Temple, Austin and Waco.”

Negron said the Temple VA Annex will be closed, as will VA centers in Cedar Park, Bryan, Brownwood, Palestine and LaGrange.

The following clinic locations will be closed: Cedar Park, Bryan, Brownwood, Palestine, LaGrange and the Temple Annex.

“We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as they become available,” Negron said. “Stay warm and be safe.”

In addition to the VA, several participants in the Feb. 4 First Friday activities Downtown have announced they will not be open as scheduled.
Seleese Thompson, owner of Precious Memories in Downtown Temple, said she decided to close because of the frigid weather.

“With it so icy cold, a lot of people won’t be going out,” she said. “But, we will be in full force for the March First Friday. We will have the Charre Smith book signing then, and Santa will be here celebrating St. Patrick’s.”

Also, several food trucks that were planning First Friday specials this week won’t be open.

JohnJohn Montelongo, organizer of the Artist-2-Artist Showcase on Main Street, said today that Friday’s art show and sale will not be held because of the weather.

As of Wednesday night, The Hub will remain open until 8 p.m. but store staff will be monitoring the weather and street conditions.

THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED AS MERITED.