As an arctic front pushes freezing temperatures across Texas, cruise departures from Galveston are moving forward with caution, offering some travelers a warm-weather escape even as state officials warn of icy roads and hazardous travel.
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This weekend, an arctic cold front moved through Texas, bringing frigid temperatures and dangerous travel conditions. However, cruise ships kept leaving Galveston, giving some Texans an odd way to escape the cold.
Weather experts predicted that most of the state would be frigid, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight and into early next week. Highways in North and Central Texas were at risk of ice, while the Port of Galveston was getting ready for another busy cruise season.
CruiseDig, a site that tracks cruise ships, said eight ships were scheduled to pass through the port between Saturday and Monday. Sunday saw the arrival of MSC Seascape, Regal Princess, Disney Magic, and Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas in port.
A port official informed the Houston Chronicle, "The Port of Galveston and the cruise lines are closely watching weather forecasts to get ready for any possible effects from the winter storm." Cruise lines will notify passengers of any schedule changes.
The National Weather Service reported that accessing the port on Saturday appeared feasible, despite showers and afternoon temperatures in the 50s. Late Sunday, conditions were forecast to worsen, with temperatures dropping below freezing after midnight and a 70% chance of rain.
The Texas Department of Transportation stated it has already worked on the causeway on Interstate 45 that connects Galveston to the mainland. Danny Perez, a spokesman for TxDOT, told the Chronicle, "We have already pretreated the causeway, and we will make more passes as needed."
Perez added, "The goal is to always keep important infrastructure like the causeway passable." He also noted that staff might use sand or stones to help people walk on the ice if it forms. He said that "non-essential travel" should wait until things get better.
Monday morning is the most unpredictable time because the Carnival Breeze will arrive in port about 8 a.m. and temperatures might be in the 20s. By the time the ship leaves, the forecast predicts a temperature in the 40s for that afternoon.
Despite the cold, officials and tourism leaders in Galveston assert that the island remains accessible for visitors. Hotels are offering lower rates during the off-season, while activities like Galveston Restaurant Week, ART Week Galveston, and the annual Galveston Museum Weekend continue through Sunday.
Weather experts said the risk might be higher once travelers depart the island. Eric Berger, a meteorologist with Space City Weather, said during a Facebook Q&A that freezing rain could form north of Houston.
Berger stated of one traveler's return trip, "I think she would be fine until she gets about halfway to Dallas-Fort Worth." "But after that, the chance of freezing rain will start to rise."
Port officials indicated that sailings will continue for now unless things get worse.
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