Texas Braces for Coldest Temperatures in 5 Years as Storm Approaches

The state of Texas is bracing for what is expected to be the coldest weather since 2021, beginning on Friday and lasting through the weekend. A major winter is bearing down on the region, threatening to test the Lone Star State's vulnerable power grid. Here is a closer look at the expected timing and severity of these wintry impacts.

Texas Power Grid to be Tested This Weekend by Winter Storm

A wide-reaching winter storm system is taking aim at much of the central, southern, and eastern U.S., with Texas forecast to get caught up in the crosshairs. The storm is likely to be the most significant wave of winter weather for the state this season. In addition to the threat of wintry precipitation, temperatures falling to well below the freezing mark in some areas will push power grids to the brink.

Residents of Texas will not soon forget the deadly winter weather event of 2021. This stretch of weather ushered in temperatures below freezing for nearly 140 hours across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. This time around, forecasters are predicting that the mercury will remain below 32 degrees for up to 80 hours.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pre-emptively issued a disaster declaration on Thursday for 134 of the counties in the state. This declaration immediately frees up additional resources to help residents and businesses.