What to know about San Antonio's winter weather forecast
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San Antonio is bracing for the possibility of freezing rain or even snow later this week amid plummeting morning temperatures.
Why it matters: Significant levels of ice or snow have not hit San Antonio since the deadly freeze of 2021, which killed hundreds of people and left many without electricity for days.
Between the lines: As with any major weather event since the 2021 winter storm, Texans are collectively holding their breath over the stability of the state's power grid.
- The grid has been vulnerable to extreme temperatures and has faced intense scrutiny since mass power outages during the historic multi-day storm.
What they're saying: Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) operators say they're ready to handle the freezing temperatures and precipitation and expect grid conditions to be normal.
- ERCOT issued a weather watch in effect through Friday due to higher electric demand coinciding with possible low energy reserves.
- It is not a call for people to conserve electricity.
- "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.
Doug Lewin, author of the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter, told Click2Houston that he didn't expect too many issues.
- "Those kind of temperatures don't lead to levels of demand that are particularly difficult to meet," he said.
The latest: Precipitation is possible Wednesday night through Friday morning in San Antonio, with the Hill Country and northern I-35 corridor more likely to be affected, the local National Weather Service office said Monday in a briefing.
- Local forecasters say there's more likelihood for ice or sleet rather than snow.
- High temperatures could reach 40 on Thursday, but precipitation could keep them colder.
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.
Zoom in: The city recommends preparing for the cold by:
- Checking on people who may not have access to heating or are otherwise vulnerable to the cold, such as older adults and people with disabilities.
- Bringing pets inside.
- Covering pipes and letting outdoor faucets drip slowly to prevent them from freezing.
- Bringing potted plants inside and covering outdoor plants after watering them to prevent freezing.
What's next: Follow the local NWS office to stay up to date on the changing forecast.
- Check drivetexas.org for road conditions later this week.
