DALLAS (January 20, 2025) – With below to near-freezing temperatures across the service area, Oncor is closely monitoring and preparing for the arrival of a winter storm later today that’s expected to primarily impact the southern and southeastern regions of our service area. Oncor’s annual winter preparations have been completed and lineworkers and support teams are ready to work around the clock to safely and quickly respond to any potential outage impacts. Customers are urged to stay weather aware and take steps today to prepare for the winter storm’s arrival.

Winter Precipitation: Current Forecasts

Winter precipitation is expected across South and Southeast Texas beginning tonight, Jan. 20, and ending Tuesday, Jan. 21. Based on current weather forecasts, approximately one to three inches of snow may fall along and southeast of an approximate line from Round Rock to Jacksonville. Some areas southeast of this line, such as Lufkin, have the best chance to see measurable snowfall approaching three inches. Wind gusts of up to 35 mph may also be possible late Monday into Tuesday. Snow accumulations are not currently expected outside of this area, though snow flurries are possible in North Texas, and notable ice accumulations are also not expected in Oncor’s service area. Widespread morning freezes are expected to occur each day through at least Wednesday.

Impacts of Ice Accumulation

Specific outages or impacts to electric service as a result of winter weather can be difficult to predict, as even slight variations in temperature can alter the amount and type of precipitation. Ice accumulation poses the greatest possible impact to electric service as it can weigh down branches and equipment. Snow and ice can also make travel hazardous. Even a small amount of ice can make roads and bridges slick and dangerous to drive on. Snow can also become compacted and act as a sheet of ice on roadways. Vehicle accidents resulting in damage to Oncor equipment was responsible for many of the outages following Winter Storm Cora earlier this month, and customers are encouraged to use caution when traveling.

Oncor Preparations

Oncor employees and contractors are trained to work safely and efficiently in freezing temperatures and will be ready to respond should outage impacts occur. Seasonal preparedness planning occurs year-round at Oncor 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.

In recent years, Oncor has also installed automated devices across 70 percent of its distribution system. These automated devices are strategically placed to help shorten the duration of power outages and lower the number of customers affected by these outages. In addition, Oncor operations centers use communications technology to monitor these devices around the clock.

Customer Preparations

Customers are encouraged to keep safety top of mind and continue to protect ‘The Four P’s’ – people, pets, pipes and plants. Take time today to prepare a storm safety kit, review how to use portable heaters or generators, and know how to contact Oncor. Anyone who sees a downed power line should stay away, keep people and pets away and call 911 immediately. 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.

Customers can report outages and receive updates by registering for MyOncor text alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, visiting stormcenter.oncor.com, downloading the MyOncor App, or by calling 888.313.4747. For weather updates, important safety tips, and information on possible restoration efforts, customers can follow Oncor on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). 

Helpful individual and family resources 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 related to your needs during an emergency.