ERCOT says it's got this

All eyes are on the Texas power grid as the state braces for a massive winter storm.

Why it matters: As with any major weather event since the 2021 ice storm, Texans are collectively holding their breath over the grid's vulnerability to extreme temperatures.

State of play: The grid's operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), on Sunday issued a weather watch due to higher electric demand coinciding with possible low energy reserves. The watch runs through Friday.

• But ERCOT said it expects grid conditions to be normal, and the watch is not a call for people to conserve electricity.

Zoom in: Lows in the Houston region will be near or below freezing through the rest of the week, with highs in the 40s.

• Parts of North Texas could see several inches of snow Thursday while the rest of the state braces for sub-freezing temperatures and the threat of icy conditions.

Between the lines: The grid has faced intense scrutiny since mass power outages during the historic multi-day storm that contributed to hundreds of deaths.

What they're saying: Grid operators say they're ready to handle the freezing temperatures and precipitation.

• "ERCOT is monitoring conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid, continuing a reliability-first approach to operations," according to ERCOT's notice.

Zoom out: A powerful winter storm crossing the country this week has knocked out power and snarled travel elsewhere.

• The post-storm Arctic outbreak is tied in part to a north-south stretching of the polar vortex, which is an area of low pressure in the upper atmosphere and the air circulation around it.
• Studies have linked rapid, human-caused Arctic climate change with shifts in the polar vortex, though this an active debate.

What's next: Follow our local NWS office to stay up to date on the changing forecast.

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