TEXAS — This week will usher in a deep freeze across much of the country, and that includes Texas. That can dredge up feelings of anxiety for Texans who lived through winter storm of February 2021. 

What You Need To Know

  • Arctic air is projected to freeze much of the country later this week, including Texas. Temperatures in parts of the state could plummet 30 degrees or more starting Thursday

  • Much concern about the reliability of the state's power grid remains. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas earlier this week said it expects sufficient power generation to meet demand 

  • The winter storm of February 2021 nearly caused the power grid to fail entirely. Millions of Texans lost power for extended periods, and at least 246 people died 

  • Texans are urged to winterize their homes ahead of the cold air, protect their plants and animals and take steps to avoid hypothermia and frostbite

While the wintry mix that hammered Texas that painful week isn't in the offing, beginning Thursday temperatures may drop 30 degrees or more in parts of the state, making for a chilly Christmas weekend. 

An Arctic cold front is expected to blast through the Lone Star State beginning Thursday afternoon, with temperatures possibly dropping to the mid-20s by Thursday evening. Friday, we can expect widespread lows in the teens and 20s, and for those temps to remain through the weekend.

Despite assurances from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas about the readiness of the state’s grid, concerns about natural gas production during freezing temperatures persist. 

ERCOT announced that it is monitoring the weather change closely, and reports that it expects sufficient generation to meet demand. The council said it has been taking measures over the past 18 months, such as scheduled inspections and improved communication to increase grid reliability and resiliency. You can check for updates on their grid and market conditions on the ERCOT website and subscribe to emergency updates here.

Participants in the ERCOT marketplace were notified about this week's extreme weather event on Monday, general manager Pablo Vega told the board at Tuesday morning's meeting. The expected capacity of the state's electric grid during the weather event will be about 87,000 megawatts.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management is warning people to prepare and review a list of winter weather resources.

Among the recommendations is to prepare your home with insulation, caulking and weatherstripping. Learn how to prevent your pipes from freezing, which happened to many Texas residents and businesses last year. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Have backup batteries ready.

In addition, you’re urged to gather enough supplies to stay home for several days without power. If someone in your home requires medication, get it ahead of time. Make sure radios and flashlights are in working order and have fresh batteries.

Don’t forget about your furry friends. Have plenty of food and water on hand for your pets, and keep conditions in mind before letting them outside.

Make sure to bring your plants inside during the cold weather. Give non-potted plants the supplements they need a day or two before the freeze. This means watering, adding mulch and winter lawn food. 

In addition, create an emergency supply kit for your vehicle. Suggested items include an ice scraper, flashlight, car cell phone charger, sand, jumper cables, warm clothes, blankets, flares, reflective items, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Keep your gas tank full.

With the dropping temperatures, it’s also good to know the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color in the face, fingers, and toes. Signs include numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin and waxy or yellow skin. If you get frostbite, get to a warm space and soak the affected body part in warm water. Do not massage or use a heating pad.

Hypothermia involves unusually low body temperate. Any temperature below 95 degrees is considered an emergency.

Signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness.

If you experience these symptoms, go to a warm room and warm the center of your body first. Keep dry and wrapped in warm blankets.

Hypothermia and frostbite may require immediate medical attention.