What to know about San Antonio's winter weather forecast

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.