After a statewide blackout in 2021 and a massive Austin outage in 2023, cold weather means energy anxiety for many in Central Texas.

Below-freezing temperatures will return to Texas as soon as Jan. 18, according to the National Weather Service. Grid conditions are expected to be normal and officials do not anticipate an emergency,

AUSTIN, Texas — With another Arctic blast coming to Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch due to freezing temperatures in the forecast. Extreme cold in the forecast for most of Texas means higher electrical demand and the possibility of lower reserves.

For months Texas developers have been watching bulldozers move back and forth across a sprawling industrial site north of Abilene, building a data center complex large enough to cover almost 70 football fields.

AUSTIN, Texas — Two people died this week in Austin as the city faced freezing temperatures and snowy conditions. According to the city's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, one person died Monday and another died on Tuesday as the winter weather continued.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain across Central and South Texas could bring down power lines, causing localized outages beginning Monday evening.

The Austin area is expected to get 1-2 inches of a wintry mix of snow and sleet on Monday and Tuesday. Austin ISD and other local school districts have announced closures for Tuesday.

8504 S. Congress Ave., Austin Jan. 25, 6:30-10:30 p.m. $100-plus (ticket/tables) 109 Student Center Drive, San Marcos Jan. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 25, 8 p.m. 1715 Dalshank St., Pflugerville Jan. 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., Georgetown Jan 25., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2701 Gattis School Road, Ste. 100C, Round Rock

Another Arctic blast of freezing temperatures will test the ERCOT grid during this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend and early next week.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) hosted a workshop Thursday for electric industry representatives across the state to discuss emergency operations plans and ensure utilities have detailed plans in place for extreme weather and other threats that could impact their electric systems and consumers.

Houston’s main electrical company backed off plans to raise rates after facing sharp criticism for its response to massive power outages after Hurricane Beryl.

Bartonville police officers were called to the intersection of McMakin Road and Broome Road for reports of an electrocution.