Winter weather information January 2026
We recognize that changing weather can impact everyone on our campus as well as our patients. In response, we have activated Incident Command across the entire institution in preparation for the expected winter weather starting Friday evening and continuing through the weekend.
If you have any questions about your specific role or circumstance, we encourage you to speak with your supervisor. Below are resources to help keep you informed and safe during this weather event.
Clinical operations
- Clinic appointments will proceed as normal for Friday, Jan. 23.
- The Infusion Services Clinic at the Cancer Care Outpatient Building (CCOB) will be open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. These extended hours will also apply to our Richardson/Plano and Fort Worth locations.
- UTSW at RedBird will operate on normal hours.
- Radiation Oncology will open at 6 a.m.
- All clinic locations that typically offer weekend hours will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25.
- We are in the process of moving CCOB infusion patients scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning to any infusion location on Friday.
- Some early morning clinic visits on Monday, Jan. 26, are being shifted to telehealth. Ambulatory Services leaders will make a final decision Saturday morning based on the latest conditions and anticipated forecast. Stay in close contact with your direct supervisor or clinic manager for additional information. We will provide an update over the weekend if there are any further changes to Monday operations.
Surgical Services and Endoscopy
- As of now, we do not anticipate any modifications to surgery and procedure schedules for Monday at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Zale Lipshy Pavilion, or the Outpatient Surgery Center.
Overnight lodging for hospital employees
- Employees required to work on campus during the weather event should coordinate with their direct supervisor on emergency lodging.
- A survey has been shared with University Hospital managers and directors to simplify the request process.
- Faculty should have received communications on how to request overnight accommodations and can work directly with their departments.
- Hospital employees should also be familiar with resources found on the University Hospital Inclement Weather Resources SharePoint site.
Campus safety, parking, and shuttle service
- UT Southwestern’s “Ice Brigade” has begun pretreating pedestrian walkways and driveways, and additional staff will be on-site this weekend to check for frozen pipes and potential leaks. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, upper-level, outdoor parking decks will be closed, and additional spots will be made available to staff in the hospital garages.
- Report icy or slippery conditions using either of the following methods:
- Call Service Request Operations at 214-648-3375.
- Submit a Facilities Asset Management Information System (FAMIS) Service request through the Facilities Service Portal (on-campus or VPN connection required). For instructions, please view Submit and Review Service Requests (on-campus or VPN connection required).
- Campus shuttles will operate on a limited schedule this weekend to accommodate those working at our hospitals and on West Campus. For questions about UTSW’s shuttle service, please call 214-648-3375. You may also want to download our shuttle tracker app.
- If you need automotive help while on campus, call UTSW Police at 214-648-8311 (nonemergency line) or Parking Services at 214-648-9600.
Remote work/campus operations
- Employees already approved to work remotely are expected to continue doing so through the winter event. For guidance, please visit Information Resources’ Working Off Campus page.
- Anyone who holds positions not designated as essential during inclement weather or other emergencies should work directly with their supervisor to confirm their status and determine next steps for their work schedule and location through the duration of the weather event.
- Employees who cannot work remotely should arrange with supervisors to make up missed time during the closure, if possible, and during the same pay period, to avoid having to use leave accruals or unpaid leave.
Education and research
- Students should watch for additional communications from their Academic Deans regarding remote learning, if applicable for Monday classes.
- Supplemental information for trainees (residents and fellows) will be disseminated by the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office. GME programs should review that information and distribute it to all trainees.
- Supply Chain has received enough dry ice and liquid nitrogen to support our research community.
Food service
- Dining areas are stocked with grab-n-go items (sandwiches, salads, wraps, fruit, etc.).
- We have ample supply of food for patients staying at our hospital during the winter storm.
Reduction of natural gas usage
Our Facilities Management team will be reducing our natural gas consumption throughout this weather event. The impact will be mainly to non-occupied and/or non-critical areas. Clinical and vivarium spaces are considered critical areas and will not be impacted.
People whose roles are not designated as essential in emergencies are encouraged to stay home over the weekend and through Monday morning, if possible. If you are on campus, please dress warmly as the temperature will be reduced inside our buildings. We also ask that you do not use space heaters, as they may trip breakers and represent a fire risk.
Backup care
- UT Southwestern offers backup, low-cost child, adult, and senior care to all full-time (40 hours a week) and part-time (30-39 hours a week) benefits-eligible employees through Bright Horizons for whenever you experience a temporary disruption in your regular care arrangements. Please note that because Bright Horizons requires pre-registration, you’re encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to take advantage of the service when you need it. Availability may be limited due to inclement weather.
- Log in to the Bright Horizons website, click “Sign Up,” then use employer username “UTSWcare” and password “UTSW123#” (you will have the option to change your username and password after your initial login). You can also register by phone at 877-242-2737. Bright Horizons consultants are available 24/7.
UTSW policy
This anticipated weather event will qualify as inclement weather days related to policies EMP-267 and HSO-156. Per these policies, an employee in an essential position who, during an emergency, does not report for work or refuses an authorized request to remain on duty beyond their scheduled shift ending time, may have that time recorded as an unexcused absence, subject to any departmental time and attendance policies. Absences due to inclement weather will be charged to an employee's available, applicable leave accruals, and the employee may be subject to disciplinary action. In addition, if you are a Health System employee, you would accrue points for a “High Impact” occurrence, in addition to using Unscheduled PTO.
Helpful links and resources
Here are some links to potentially useful resources during inclement weather.
- Road conditions: The Texas Department of Transportation map shows active accidents, closures, construction, damage, and more.
- Power and water status: Real-time electrical outage information is available on websites for Oncor and CoServ. Please check with your local water provider for any water shortages or boil-water notices in effect.
- Warming centers: If you or someone you know is without power or heat, check with the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management for updates on warming centers. Also, the city’s recreation centers and libraries will be open during normal business hours for residents in need of relief from the cold. Library and recreation center hours can be viewed online.
- Public transit: For the latest information on DART bus and rail services as well as Trinity Railway Express, visit the DART website.
- 2-1-1 Texas: This free, anonymous social service resource hotline is available 24 hours a day for Texas residents. Dial 2-1-1, or 877-541-7905, to find information about food, housing, crisis counseling, and/or mental health treatment resources in your local community. SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: This national hotline provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress caused by disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.
- Winter weather safety: Helpful resources for staying safe during winter storms are available from the American Red Cross, National Weather Service, FEMA, and Ready.gov.
During weather events such as this, your dedication to UTSW’s mission and to those we serve is especially appreciated. Thank you for your hard work and perseverance.