AUSTIN, Texas — With another Arctic blast headed for Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch due to freezing temperatures in the forecast.
Extreme cold in the forecast for most of Texas means higher electrical demand and the possibility of lower reserves.
The watch is in effect beginning Monday, Jan 20, through Thursday, Jan. 23. However, ERCOT said it expects grid conditions to be normal during the Weather Watch and no energy emergencies are expected.
What you should do during a Weather Watch
Weather Watches are issued to help Texans stay informed about grid conditions in case of emergencies.
ERCOT stated that it will closely monitor conditions and utilize all available tools to manage the grid effectively. According to ERCOT’s 6-Day Forecast, energy demand is expected to peak on Monday and Tuesday mornings, when wintry precipitation could be possible for some parts of Texas.
Texans can stay updated on grid conditions by signing up for notifications through the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS). Real-time and extended grid condition updates are available here. Additionally, Texans can subscribe to ERCOT emergency alerts or download the ERCOT app for timely updates.
Will this freeze be a repeat of the 2021 Winter Storm?
The short answer is no.
In December, ERCOT warned that extreme cold events would be more likely than usual this winter, similar to those in 2021. However, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas said in November that he doesn’t expect calls for conservation or rolling blackouts.
While this Arctic blast is expected to bring the coldest temperatures of the winter so far, Vegas said there have been a lot of changes to the grid since the deadly winter storm.