UTSA’s alert system, Campus Alerts, informed students, faculty and staff on Thursday, Jan. 23, that winter weather conditions caused all UTSA campuses to close beginning at 11 p.m., Thursday until 10 a.m., Friday. All classes and activities at the Main Campus, Downtown Campus and Institute of Texan Cultures were canceled during that timeframe. The closure was later extended to 5 p.m. on Friday Jan. 24.

By 10 p.m. Thursday, several major roads in San Antonio were shut down due to icy conditions, including the Interstate 10 and Loop 410 interchange and the U.S. 281 connection to Loop 1604. The Texas Department of Transportation advised San Antonio residents not to drive that night.

CPS Energy reported that roughly 8,000 customers lost power as a result of cold weather and wind.

The brief winter storm that blew in last Thursday included freezing rain, sleet and ice. By Friday the conditions had not improved. Hundreds of accidents dotted the city and many people were stranded in their vehicles.

The San Antonio Police Department reported 173 accidents, 414 minor accidents and 218 traffic-related calls during the stormy interlude from Thursday night to Friday afternoon, although only minor injuries were sustained.

The Texas Department of Transportation recommended reducing driving speed, maintaining a larger following distance, and using caution on bridges, ramps and overpasses. In the event of losing control of a car, the driver should ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer into the direction of the skid.

For the latest information regarding alerts on campus, check the Campus Alerts website at www.alerts.utsa.edu.