DALLAS (January 21, 2026) - With inclement winter weather anticipated across much of the country later this week, Oncor has activated its storm readiness operations, as well as closely monitoring evolving forecasts and preparing for potential service impacts. Winter precipitation is expected within Oncor’s service area from the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 23 through the evening of Sunday, Jan. 25.

Impacts to electric service as a result of winter weather can be difficult to predict, as even slight variations in temperature can alter the amount and type of precipitation our service area experiences. At this time, weather forecasts expect an extended period of below-freezing temperatures for Oncor’s entire service area. Additionally, there is high confidence in widespread winter precipitation, including snow, freezing rain and ice. 

“We recognize the worry that comes with winter storms, especially while forecasts are still developing. Oncor has prepared for winter weather and our field teams have decades of experience safely restoring power in freezing temperatures,” said Kaiti Blake, Oncor meteorologist. “We’ll continue to monitor and share updates on forecasts over the next few days. We encourage customers to stay weather aware and take steps today to prepare their homes and businesses.”

Ice accumulation presents the primary risk to electric service because even a thin glaze greatly increases weight on trees and power lines. Ice accumulation can increase the weight of tree branches by 30 times, and a half-inch of ice accumulation can add 500 pounds of extra weight to power lines, creating hazardous conditions and raising the likelihood of outages as limbs sag or break. Snow and ice can also make travel hazardous. Historically, vehicle accidents during severe winter weather contribute to an increase in power outages and damage to Oncor equipment. 

Oncor’s preparations for severe winter weather: 

• Mobilizing inventory and distributing additional stock of most commonly utilized equipment (transformers, line hardware, poles) to service centers across the service territory.

• Expanding the number of available working crews and confirmed additional support resources to respond to winter weather impacts and potential restoration needs. 
• Increased vegetation management (tree trimming) over the past year as part of Oncor’s System Resiliency Plan (SRP). Scheduled vegetation management will continue ahead of the expected winter weather as long as it’s safe to do so.
• Completed annual winter preparations as part of our year-round seasonal preparation efforts, including inspecting thousands of electrical facilities and hundreds of vehicles, and proactively replacing critical equipment to reduce the risk of failures during extreme cold.

What customers can do to get prepared and stay informed: 

• Keep safety top of mind by monitoring local media for the latest weather conditions and having multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts. 
• Take time to build a storm safety kit at home. 
• Protect ‘The Four Ps’ – people, pets, pipes and plants. 
• Register for MyOncor Alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, download the MyOncor App and follow Oncor on Facebook and X. 
• While prioritized during power restoration events, critical care designations do not guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, especially during severe weather. Customers who rely on electricity for life-saving medical devices should have a plan in case of power outages. 
• If you see a downed power line, stay away, keep people and pets away and call 911 immediately.

Helpful individual and family resources are also available on the Texas Division of Emergency Management's (TDEM) website, including the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR), a free registry that provides local emergency management planners and responders with information related to your needs during an emergency. 

Warming center locations can also be found through TDEM, though locations and availability may change. For the latest information, please call 211 or check your city and county webpages.