DALLAS (January 17, 2025) — Oncor is closely monitoring a strong cold front that is expected to impact our area beginning Saturday, Jan. 18.  Below-freezing temperatures are expected in Oncor’s service territory from Sunday, Jan. 19, through Wednesday, Jan. 22. Overnight temperatures from Sunday through Wednesday will be in the teens and 20s, and wind chills could reach single digits. Wintry precipitation is less likely early next week, but forecast specifics are not yet clear. 

Customers are encouraged to be safe, stay weather-aware and take steps over the weekend to protect ‘The Four P’s’: people, pets, plants and pipes. 

Oncor employees and contractors are trained and equipped to work safely and efficiently in freezing temperatures and will be ready to respond should outage impacts occur. Although specific winter precipitation impacts are not currently known, ice accumulation poses the greatest possible impact to electric service. Even a small amount can create dangerous road conditions. Vehicle accidents resulting in damage to Oncor equipment was responsible for many of the outages following Winter Storm Cora earlier this month. Ice can also weigh down tree limbs and equipment. Ice accumulation increases the weight of tree branches by 30 times, and a half-inch of ice accumulation can add 500 pounds of extra weight to power lines.

Oncor’s seasonal preparedness planning occurs year-round and annual winter preparations for the 2024-2025 winter season have been completed. This includes inspecting and servicing thousands of electrical facilities utilizing specialized technicians, drones and helicopters; assessing and preparing bucket trucks, trailers and vehicles to take on winter road conditions; conducting extensive emergency preparedness training, and more.

Customers can take time now to be sure to know how to report outages and receive updates from Oncor, including: registering for MyOncor text alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, downloading the MyOncor App, following Oncor on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), or by calling 888.313.4747. Anyone who sees a downed power line should stay away, keep people and pets away and call 911 immediately. Customers should also take the time before the coldest weather arrives to prepare a storm safety kit and review how to use portable heaters or generators.

While prioritized during power restoration events, critical care designations do not guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, especially during severe weather. Customers who rely on electricity for life-saving medical devices should have a plan in case of power outages.

Helpful winter weather preparation tips are also available on the Texas Division of Emergency Management's website, including the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR), a free registry that provides local emergency management planners and responders with information about your needs during an emergency.