The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting the arrival of a robust cold front in the area late Saturday, Jan. 13, or early Sunday, Jan. 14, causing temperatures to dip below freezing until Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Subfreezing conditions are anticipated from Sunday, Jan. 14, through Wednesday morning, Jan. 17, with potential impacts on infrastructure, particularly exposed outdoor pipes. Wind chill values as low as -10 degrees are expected on Sunday night and Monday night, while daytime wind chills will range mostly in the teens or lower 20s.
Monday night is projected to be the coldest, with single-digit temperatures possible. There's a low (10-20%) chance of temperatures dropping to zero degrees in parts of North Texas.
Residents are advised to prepare for dangerously low temperatures and high winds. The forecast indicates a chance of freezing rain and/or snow from Sunday afternoon through Monday, primarily across the eastern half of North Texas, including the greater Dallas-Fort Worth region and the I-35 corridor down to Waco.
The highest chance of precipitation is anticipated in the far east/northeast counties of North Texas, with lower probabilities along the I-35 corridor. Cold road conditions may lead to impacts if precipitation occurs.
Residents are urged to take safety precautions, including reducing large appliance use, setting thermostats to 68 degrees to conserve energy, and using extreme care with candles, space heaters, and alternative heat sources to minimize fire risk. Additionally, protecting water pipes from freezing and breaking is crucial. Measures such as extra insulation, hose bib covers, and opening cabinets for indoor pipes are recommended.
Other precautions include draining and storing outside hoses, shutting off irrigation systems, providing shelter for outdoor pets, securing loose outdoor objects, and protecting plants sensitive to extreme temperatures.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch from Monday, Jan. 15, through Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to the forecasted extreme cold weather. This may lead to higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves. However, grid conditions are expected to be normal during this ERCOT Weather Watch period. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe during the upcoming cold front.
HELPFUL LINKS
During this inclement weather event, residents should follow updates from the National Weather Service Fort Worth office.
- 24/7 Electricity Outage Information: Find outage information
- Report a Power Outage – toll-free, 24/7 hotline: (888) 313-6862 or (888) 313-4747
- Report a Power Outage online: Report power outages
- Text Oncor about a Power Outage: The service requires preregistration.
- Text ‘reg’ to 66267 (ONCOR) to register. Please have either your ESID or the telephone number listed on your account and your ZIP code to complete registration.
- Text ‘out’ to 66267 (ONCOR) to report your outage.
- Text ‘stat’ to 66267 (ONCOR) to receive an update on your outage.
- Atmos Energy: To report a gas leak, call at (866) 322-8667
- Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
- Oncor Chronic Care Customer Application: Learn more
