As meteorologists across the nation prepare for an Arctic blast to welcome the winter season, the first briefing of the weather event asks residents to prepare for a cold front next Thursday, December 22. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing Thursday night into Friday morning, December 23, “across all of South Central Texas,” per the release. Though the report stresses the uncertainties in the forecast, it does note temperatures will stay persistently below freezing for “several days.” The forecasts a chilly Christmas, one that could “test” Texas’ power grid according to Brad Panovich, chief meteorologist for WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina. The bigger story going forward is the Arctic blast that moves into the west first then pushing east for Christmas. These are departures from average. The Texas Grid is going to be tested again. #cltwx #ncwx #scwx #wcnc pic.twitter.com/IpFvd011fL— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) December 13, 2022 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages “90% of the state’s electric load,” is monitoring the situation. “Earlier today, ERCOT issued an Operating Condition Notice (OCN), a procedural notification to transmission and distribution owners and generation resources that temperatures will meet ERCOT’s criteria of 25 degrees or lower in the Austin/San Antonio and the Dallas Fort-Worth areas between Thursday, December 22 through Monday, December 26,” according to their latest release. We are closely monitoring weather conditions. Stay informed with updates here. https://t.co/7fo3Fbetxe pic.twitter.com/JXKuXxkoWn— ERCOT (@ERCOT_ISO) December 16, 2022 The range forecast for December 23 in the San Antonio area is anywhere from 35 to 14 degrees at the moment. The best forecast has the Alamo City reaching 25 degrees. Our Hill Country neighbors in Kerrville could see temperatures range from 32 to 8 degrees, with a current best forecast of 19 degrees. Austin’s best forecast is 22 degrees. We’re in for a cold Christmas in South Central Texas. Courtesy of NWS As with all freeze situations, NWS recommends watching out for the 4 Ps. People (especially the elderly and children) should dress in layers and wear gloves, pets should be brought inside, or in an enclosed shelter with an entrance facing away from the wind with plenty of blankets. Plants should be brought inside if in containers; watered before the freeze, and covered if possible. Finally, pipes should be allowed to drip from faucets, and drafts should be eliminated where water supply lines are located.