ERCOT issues weather watch ahead of Dallas-Fort Worth cold front

• A much colder front is forecast to move across North Texas on Sunday.

Threat level: ERCOT, the state's power grid operator, issued a "weather watch" for early next week, predicting increased electric demand and a possible drop in energy reserves.

• "Grid conditions are expected to be normal, and ERCOT expects to have sufficient supply to meet demand," the organization told Axios in a statement.

Yes, but: ERCOT has been closely watched since a winter storm in February 2021 that left millions of households and businesses without electricity and killed 246 people.

• Since then, renewable energy production has increased, and new rules are in place requiring natural gas supply chain and pipeline operators to prepare for extreme weather.

Details: The first cold front is not expected to bring flurries or precipitation Friday, as previously predicted. Any possible snow is likely to stay north of the Red River.

• Meteorologists are watching for possible ice or snow Monday, when an arctic blast drops temperatures into the teens.

Be smart: Remember to protect your pipes, bring in plants and keep your pets warm during the cold snap.

• It's also a good idea to keep a backup charger for your phone in case of power outages.