Coming Winter Storm To Test Our Fragile Grid

A significant winter storm is forecasted to impact the Midwest and Eastern United States, prompting questions regarding the resilience of the power grid under extreme weather conditions. Comparisons are being drawn to the 2021 winter storm Uri, which caused widespread power outages across Texas and resulted in over 200 fatalities due to prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. During storm Uri, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the primary grid operator for Texas, experienced substantial failures as unseasonably low temperatures led to the malfunction of power plants and natural gas supply systems amid elevated electricity demand, culminating in extensive blackouts.

The southern states in the projected path of this storm are at heightened risk for power system and grid failures, as their infrastructure is not designed to withstand the forecasted extreme cold temperatures, snow, and ice. According to the National Weather Service, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas face a significant threat of extended power outages due to heavy ice accumulation. This situation poses substantial danger by impeding emergency response efforts, as hazardous road conditions may prevent timely assistance. Even if regional power generation systems remain operational during the anticipated near-zero temperatures, the predicted volume of ice is likely to bring down numerous trees and power lines, increasing the likelihood of prolonged outages.

The challenges extend beyond grid infrastructure to include locations where energy is produced, such as power generating stations and wellheads. Natural gas production can be interrupted when gas freezes at the wellhead in subfreezing temperatures if appropriate safeguards are not implemented. This phenomenon contributed significantly to disruptions in Texas during winter storm Uri, given the region’s uncommon exposure to extreme cold. In many cases, operators opted to shut in wells rather than send repair crews into adverse weather conditions. The resulting decline in steady natural gas supply led to the shutdown of numerous power generating stations. Furthermore, even non-gas systems are susceptible to failure in low temperatures, as critical components like sensors or valves may malfunction and halt operations. Overall, there are myriad potential points of failure that can interrupt power delivery to large regions.

ERCOT has issued an advisory in anticipation of this weekend’s low temperatures, emphasizing that it has implemented upgrades—such as weatherization and inspections of electric generation units and transmission facilities—to prevent a recurrence of events like Winter Storm Uri. In contrast, other southern states operate within different regional grid markets and do not have a unified response plan; while some winterization efforts have been made at larger plants and critical substations, significant improvements remain necessary. According to the National Electric Reliability Council’s 2024 reliability report, substantial portions of the central and southern United States continue to be susceptible to extreme cold and potential fuel constraints. These findings are concerning for states currently experiencing severe winter conditions.

Tips For Surviving Severe Winter Storms

You need one gallon of water per person per day and ready to eat meals, make sure you have a manual can opener.
Battery powered radio and flashlights with extra batteries, avoid rechargeables and candles due to fire risk.
Blankets, warm clothing, hats and gloves. First aid kit and refill medications if you can.
Portable phone chargers and power banks.
Use anything you can to insulate doors and windows.
Know how to shut off water valves, let faucets drip to prevent freezing.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Never use a gas oven or stove to heat your home.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattrandolph/2026/01/22/coming-winter-storm-to-test-our-fragile-grid/