Preparing for the Chill: CenterPoint Energy Prepares for First Major Cold Snap of the Year
Temperatures to Dip into the Mid-20s in Greater Houston Area and Southeast Texas
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
FILE: People wait in line to fill propane tanks Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Customers waited over an hour in the freezing rain to fill their tanks.
Temperatures across the Greater Houston area and southeast Texas could dip into the mid-20s with an incoming cold front moving in on Sunday night, officials said.
CenterPoint Energy Prepares for the First Major Cold Snap of the Year
CenterPoint Energy is making preparations for the first major cold snap of the year as temperatures are expected to dramatically drop overnight Sunday across Houston and its surrounding cities.
A Chance of Rain and Freezing Temperatures Creates an Unpredictable Forecast
The National Weather Service has not yet indicated how likely freezing precipitation will be throughout next week, but a chance of rain on Thursday and Friday combined with freezing temperatures has made for an unpredictable forecast, Bradley Brokamp, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.
"We can’t rule out the possibility that there could be some wintry precipitation, especially Wednesday night into the morning hours of Thursday," Brokamp said.
The Strong Cold Front Expected Late Sunday will Usher in Colder Air
The strong cold front expected late Sunday will usher in colder air as freezing temperatures are expected to remain until the end of next week. By Jan. 12, temperatures are projected to warm up to the low 60s.
"We will just have to wait and see," Brokamp said.
CenterPoint Teams Prepare for Potential Storms and Severe Weather
CenterPoint teams in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are preparing for potential storms and severe weather this weekend ahead of the cold snap next week.
RELATED: CenterPoint to Inspect Cold-Weather Equipment, Prepare Emergency Plans Ahead of 2025 Winter Season
In December, CenterPoint, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the utility company’s industry partners discussed preparations for potential winter weather events that could cause high energy demand and strain the electric grid. In preparation, CenterPoint will inspect cold-weather equipment and coordinate emergency plans with grid operators ahead of the 2025 winter season.
"We’re continuing to monitor the severe cold weather expected across several of the communities we serve in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and Ohio," Matt Lanza, CenterPoint’s Meteorology Manager said in a press release. "We’re keeping a particularly close watch on the potential for a major winter storm that could impact Indiana and Ohio over the weekend and into next week as well as potential for severe weather in the Greater Houston area starting Sunday and into next week."
A Look Back at the 2021 Arctic Blast
Temperatures in January last year plummeted into the mid-30’s for several days. The freezing temperatures left thousands of CenterPoint Energy customers around Harris County without power. Grid operations returned to normal conditions as temperatures rose.
The arctic blast that swept through that month resulted in dozens of ice-related crashes, despite several highways being treated with salt-brine mixtures to prevent freezing.
Preparations for the 2025 Winter Season
In preparation for high demand and cold temperatures over the 2025 winter season, the company announced it will inspect and test critical equipment, including more than 270 substations. The company will also harden electric and natural gas infrastructure across the Greater Houston area by installing heaters and devices to prevent ice damage and buildup.
"We will continue to actively monitor the models for any severe weather and urge our customers to stay alert in anticipation of quickly changing weather conditions," Lanza said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the expected temperature range for the Greater Houston area and southeast Texas?
A: Temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-20s.
Q: When is the cold front expected to arrive?
A: The cold front is expected to arrive on Sunday night.
Q: What is CenterPoint’s plan for the 2025 winter season?
A: CenterPoint will inspect and test critical equipment, including more than 270 substations, and harden electric and natural gas infrastructure across the Greater Houston area.
