As meteorologists across the country prepare for an Arctic blast to welcome the winter season, the weather event’s first briefing urges residents to prepare for a cold front next Thursday, December 22. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing from Thursday night through Friday morning. December 23, according to the press release “across south-central Texas.”
While emphasizing the uncertainties in the forecast, the report notes that temperatures will remain persistently below freezing for “several days”.
The forecast reiterates a chilly Christmas that could “test” Texas’ power grid, according to Brad Panovich, WCNC’s chief meteorologist in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The bigger story for the future is the arctic blast moving west first and then east at Christmas. These are deviations from the average. The Texas Grid is tested again. #cltwx #ncwx #scwx #wcnc pic.twitter.com/IpFvd011fL
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) December 13, 2022
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages “90% of the state’s electrical load,” is monitoring the situation.
“Earlier today, ERCOT issued an Operating Condition Notice (OCN) that temperatures will meet ERCOT criteria of 25 degrees or less in the intermediate Austin/San Antonio and Dallas Fort-Worth areas Thursday, December 22 through Monday, December 26,” reads their latest release.
We are closely monitoring the weather conditions. Stay up to date with updates here. https://t.co/7fo3Fbetxe pic.twitter.com/JXKuXxkoWn
— ERCOT (@ERCOT_ISO) December 16, 2022
The area forecast for December 23 in the San Antonio area is currently between 35 and 14 degrees. The best prediction has the Alamo City hit 25 degrees. Our Hill Country neighbors in Kerrville have been able to see temperatures ranging from 32 to 8 degrees, with a current best forecast of 19 degrees. Austin’s best prediction is 22 degrees.
We’re in for a cold Christmas in south-central Texas.
Courtesy of NWS
As with all freeze situations, NWS recommends paying attention to the 4 Ps. People (especially the elderly and children) should dress in layers and wear gloves. Pets should be brought indoors or in an enclosed shelter with a leeward entrance and plenty of blankets. Plants should be brought in in containers; watered before freezing and covered if possible. Finally, pipes from faucets should be allowed to drip, and drafts should be eliminated where water supply lines are located.