CenterPoint prepares for cold snap in Greater Houston area next week
HOUSTON - CenterPoint Energy is ramping up efforts to ensure the Greater Houston area is prepared for the first major cold snap of 2025, with severe winter weather forecasted to impact the region and other parts of its service territory.
In the Greater Houston area, CenterPoint has taken action to prepare its electric and natural gas infrastructure for extreme cold weather. These include inspecting and testing equipment at all 270 substations, maintaining freeze protection systems, and repairing damaged or degraded thermal insulation and waterproofing materials.
WEATHER: Cold front to bring near-freezing temps next week
The company stated they hardened electric and natural gas infrastructure, which included installing heaters and devices to prevent ice damage across the Greater Houston area. CenterPoint trained operational personnel and contractors to respond effectively to severe weather impacts. Additionally, compressed natural gas trucks have been positioned to support the natural gas network if necessary.
Houston morning weather forecast, Jan. 3
Southeast Texas is waking up in the 50s and 60s with mostly quiet skies. Highs today will reach the upper 60s, but much warmer temperatures are on the way this weekend. Ahead of a strong cold front, highs Sunday will soar to the 70s. Sunday brings the chance for strong to severe storms. Right now, the Storm Prediction Center has outlined the northeastern viewing area in a 2/5 risk for severe weather and the Houston area in a 1/5 risk. The main weather threats will be heavy rain, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. The strong cold front will sweep through the region Sunday night ushering cold air Monday morning. SE Texas will wake up to near freezing temperatures. Highs will remain in the 40s each day next week. An area of low pressure will bring moisture by the middle and end of the week. The big question is, will Houston see sleet or snow? We would need to freezing temperatures to line up with the moisture and models are still in disagreement of that timing. Download the free FOX Local app for the latest weather updates.
CenterPoint submitted winter readiness reports to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Railroad Commission of Texas, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards adopted in 2021 after previous extreme weather events.
Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app
Residents are urged to prepare by visiting CenterPoint's Winter Energy Guide, which offers safety tips, energy-saving strategies, and bill management advice. Electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the Power Alert Service for real-time updates on outages and restoration efforts.
For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.