Breaking: ERCOT braces for icing threat as winter storm eyes Houston
Texans are waking up to a cold and tricky setup. A winter storm is taking shape, and the main risk is ice. ERCOT, the state grid operator, says power supply is ready for the cold. The bigger concern is what ice can do to lines and trees, especially around Houston. This is not a repeat of 2021. Still, even a thin glaze can knock out local circuits and slow repairs.
What we know about the storm
Cold air is dropping south late this week. Moist Gulf air will ride over it. That mix can lay a narrow band of freezing rain near the metro. North and west of the city could see sleet pockets. The worst icing window looks to be late Saturday into early Sunday. Any shift of a few miles could change who gets the slickest roads and the most line stress.
Air temperatures in Houston may hover near freezing for a time. That is enough for glaze on bridges and on branches. Gusty winds are not extreme, but a steady breeze can help ice build on exposed wires. Expect travel to be slow in spots. Expect pockets of power trouble where trees lean onto lines.
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How the grid has changed since 2021
ERCOT now holds more reserves for sharp cold snaps. Power plants have added freeze protection, like heat tracing and insulation. Gas supply points added heaters and wind breaks. Wind and solar will help during daylight, and batteries can cover short ramps. That said, winter sun is weak and wind is fickle in cold air. Planning now leans on more firm power in the evening.
ERCOT manages about 90 percent of Texas electricity. The grid sits mostly apart from the rest of the country. That means help from neighbors is limited. It also means ERCOT must balance supply and demand inside Texas, in real time, with little room for error.
If supply gets tight, ERCOT can ask for conservation. That comes as a public appeal, a watch, or an operating notice. These are not blackout orders. They are signals to ease use for a few peak hours so the grid can stay stable.
If asked to conserve, focus on 6 to 9 am and 5 to 9 pm. Lower heat a few degrees, delay laundry and dishwashers, and turn off extra lights.
Ice is the swing factor
Generation can be solid and still, ice can snap lines. That is the point today. CenterPoint, which serves the Houston area, has staged crews and gear. It has added stronger poles and smart switches since recent storms. Those upgrades help isolate faults and restore power faster. But ice is slow to clear, and tree work is careful work. Repairs may take hours in some pockets.
Grocery stores say supplies are steady. No one needs to panic buy. Food waste and empty shelves help no one. If you need basics, shop early and share the aisle.
Here is what to do before the worst of the weather:
- Charge phones, battery packs, and medical devices
- Fill up on simple foods that do not need cooking
- Check flashlights, and keep extra blankets handy
- Bring pets inside, and drip faucets if told to do so
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Never run a generator indoors. Keep it 20 feet from doors and windows. Do not use grills inside. Carbon monoxide is deadly and has no smell.
What to watch in the next 48 hours
ERCOT notices will set the tone. A Grid Conditions Watch signals risk, not crisis. A Conservation Appeal asks for help to flatten peaks. If you see “local outage,” that often means a line problem near you, not a grid shortage.
Road crews will treat bridges first. If roads glaze, stay home and give line workers space. Trees heavy with ice can drop limbs without warning. Treat any downed wire as live and keep clear.
You can cut your home’s load fast with small moves. Lower heat to 68, close blinds at night, and open them on sunny afternoons. Seal drafts with towels. Use one room as your warm zone. Every kilowatt saved in the peak helps steady frequency and keeps plants online.
The climate signal behind winter risk
A warmer world still has winter teeth. The Gulf holds more moisture now. That boosts icing potential when shallow Arctic air slides south. Texas must build for both heat and cold. Weatherization is now part of the job for gas fields, power plants, and wires. So is efficiency at home. Better insulation and smart thermostats cut peak strain and save money year round.
Clean energy is growing in Texas, and storage is rising with it. That helps in shoulder hours. But extreme cold tests every link, from fuel supply to tree trimming. Investments in local resilience, from microgrids to buried lines in key spots, can blunt the blow from glaze events that do not last long but hit hard.
Bottom line
The grid is stronger than it was in 2021. This storm looks shorter and less severe. The main threat is ice on lines, not a collapse of supply. Stay calm, stay smart, and keep an eye on ERCOT notices. Conserve a bit during peaks if asked. If you lose power, report it, stay safe, and let crews work. We will keep tracking the ice line and the load curve, hour by hour, as Texas rides out the weekend.
