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Meet the Austin Ice Scraper: a Credit Card, CD or Spatula

flickr.com/rs_butner
In Austin, ice scrapers are a hot commodity when the temperature drops. Check out our Instagram roundup of Austin alternatives.

The Austin area’s freeze this morning is no laughing matter: The wintry weather – which worsened in tandem with the city’s morning rush hour – snarled traffic and caught schools and government offices by surprise. (See a list of delays and closures here.)

But it’s also provided ample fodder on social media, where Austinites are sharing stories and images of their morning commute – or their snow days.

Instagram provides a window into a uniquely Austin issue with the weather: In colder climates, ice scrapers are a given for drivers. But here in Central Texas, what do you use to clear the ice from your windshield?

With plenty of photos like this making the rounds, it’s an issue many Austinites are facing: 

So without further ado: curated from Instagram, a look at what Austin’s using for ice scrapers.

A popular choice for many Austinites: credit cards. 

Nametags can work in pinch too, apparently:

Advanced card technique: augmenting the scraping with water. A definite pro move, since some say using hot water can crack your car's windshield.

The key is to use what you have. If it’s a CD, make sure it’s one you’re not very attached to:

The handle on this spatula would seem to provide needed torque, but we have our doubts about the strength of the material:

Speaking of material strength: don’t skimp on your scraper purchases – otherwise this could happen:

Apparently there do exist a few souls in Austin who possess real ice-scrapers.

And maybe most importantly: having an extra set of hands may be the most valuable commodity. 

Wells has been a part of KUT News since 2012, when he was hired as the station's first online reporter. He's currently the social media host and producer for Texas Standard, KUT's flagship news program. In between those gigs, he served as online editor for KUT, covering news in Austin, Central Texas and beyond.
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