1 day Ago By EMMA LAWSON [email protected]
Santa made his “nice-or-naughty” list in December and now Texans are creating their own list in January to ensure they’re prepared for the sudden winter freeze. The National Weather Service (NWS) is currently predicting areas of frost in College Station during Tuesday night and a chance of snow showers and freezing rain after midnight on Wednesday night into Thursday. Thus, the Brazos Valley is under a cold weather advisory until 9 a.
m. Tuesday. While under a cold weather advisory, the NWS recommends using caution while traveling outside, wearing appropriate clothing, keeping pets indoors as much as possible and making frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors.
"[Monday] will be the coldest weather we see through the spell, but this is the coldest we've been so far this season," Max Crawford, meteorologist for KBTX, said. "From there, Tuesday is sunny and calm, but still cold. .
.. Here in the Brazos Valley, the farther north you go, the more likely you are to find snowflakes and sleet pellets mixed in with the rain, but I do not expect significant issues as of right now.
" Crawford said they're also predicting clouds to return on Wednesday and the northern half the state should prepare for a significant amount of wintery precipitation. Weather could cause issues Thursday if temperatures are lower than expected and any precipitation falls on roads, bridges and overpasses. "Long story short, keep yourself warm and watch the forecast toward the end of the week.
It's only a few degrees difference from a very cold rain to ice accumulation, so be aware of any changes to the forecast," Crawford advised. ERCOT also issued a Weather Watch all this week as higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves exists. Though grid conditions are expected to be normal and there is no current expectation of an energy emergency, officials have some recommendations on actions to take to prevent further damage to cars, the energy grid and more.
AAA Texas recommends that Texas drivers stay updated on delays that may occur due to the weather and follow all warnings and guidance from local authorities. To drive in possible icy weather, it is recommended that drivers prepare their vehicle for winter weather by using an icescraper to remove snow and ice from windshield and windows, replace worn windshield wiper blades every six months, and keep defrosters in good working condition. Similarly, it is recommended that drivers keep their tires well-maintained due to being critical for maintaining traction on wet roads.
When driving, AAA Texas said to turn on headlights, reduce speed, brake gently, avoid using cruise control, be aware of possible icy spots and of roads infrequently traveled because they may be cleared less often. “Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running,” officials at AAA Texas said in a statement.
“Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running [and] keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.” In order to conserve energy, Atmos Energy suggests lowering water heater temperatures to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and lowering the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and to 58 degrees when away from home if it is safe to do so. It is not recommended to use an oven or gas stovetop to heat your home.
To minimize the risk of frozen pipes, it is recommended to leave faucets running at a trickle, leave cabinet doors open and close all doors and windows to keep heat inside. Atmos Energy said that, although natural gas meters are weather-proof, it is recommended to remove snow and ice from natural gas meters with a broom or brush and to never kick or chip snow or ice away with a hard object. “Although natural gas outages are infrequent, if you experience loss of natural gas service or low gas pressure, contact the Atmos Energy emergency line at 866-322-8667,” officials at Atmos Energy said in a statement.
“If you suspect a natural gas leak, leave the area immediately. From a safe distance, call 911.” To be completely prepared for an emergency, AAA Texas recommends each driver have a vehicle emergency kit for safe driving and reducing the risk of being stranded in the cold.
The kit should include: traction aids, a shovel, a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables or a jump pack, a basic toolkit, tarp, raincoat and gloves, rags or paper towels, warning devices, a first-aid kit, drinking water, snacks or food, an icescraper, snow brush, winter windshield washer solvent, warm clothes and a car charger for mobile phones..
