AUSTIN, Texas — With another Arctic blast headed for Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch due to freezing temperatures in the forecast. Extreme cold in the forecast for most of Texas means higher electrical demand and the possibility of lower reserves.

HOUSTON — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has issued a warning ahead of next week's extreme cold weather. ERCOT issued a Weather Watch for Jan. 20 through Jan. 23 due to the arctic blast that's expected to take over the state. The cold will cause a higher electrical demand as well as the potential for lower reserves.

As a slug of polar vortex-fueled arctic air overtakes the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. next week, a storm system could bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to places deep in the heart of Texas, but the forecast isn’t a lock just yet.

Uncertainty in the forecast is still high for the winter weather threat next week in Acadiana but confidence is growing that we could see a snow event on Tuesday. Regardless, extremely cold air will arrive over the weekend with a high risk for hard freezes next week with temperatures falling into the 20s for several nights.