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As an impactful winter storm moves toward North Texas this weekend, state grid operators say they are taking steps to monitor electricity demand and grid reliability. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch from Saturday, Jan. 24, through Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to forecasted below‑freezing temperatures, the possibility of frozen precipitation and higher electrical demand. ERCOT said grid conditions are expected to remain normal during the Weather Watch. “ERCOT is monitoring weather conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid, continuing a reliability‑first approach to operations,” the agency said in a statement. The Weather Watch comes as an Arctic air mass is expected to arrive in North Texas on Friday and persist through the weekend, bringing the potential for snow, sleet and ice along with dangerously cold temperatures. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch on Tuesday that takes effect at noon Friday, Jan. 23, and continues until 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, citing the risk of wintry precipitation that could make travel hazardous and threaten power lines and unprotected infrastructure. Meteorologists are also warning of extreme cold following the storm. Wind chills could drop to 5 to 10 degrees below zero in parts of North Texas late Saturday night into early next week. An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect for North Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth, from 6 p.m. Saturday until noon Monday, Jan. 26. ERCOT emphasized that a Weather Watch is an advanced notification and does not mean power outages are expected. No action is required at this time, officials said. The upcoming storm has prompted comparisons with the severe winter events of the February 2021 winter storm, when prolonged freezing temperatures and record electricity demand contributed to widespread power outages across Texas. During that storm, millions of customers lost electricity, some for several days, as the grid struggled with reduced power generation and surging demand. Since 2021, state leaders and grid operators have implemented changes aimed at improving winter preparedness, including weatherization requirements for power generation facilities and expanded coordination among energy and emergency management agencies. ERCOT said it is coordinating preparations with the Texas Energy Reliability Council, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and other state agencies, as well as with market participants, ahead of the expected cold. weather 5 hours ago North Texas bracing for winter weather, road preps underway Extreme Weather Jan 20 WATCH LIVE: City of Dallas outlines plan ahead of ‘Very impactful winter storm' Officials also encouraged residents to stay informed by signing up for grid condition notifications through the Texas Advisory and Notification System and by monitoring real‑time grid conditions. ERCOT noted that reducing electricity use during peak demand periods can help ease strain on the system. Weather experts say the forecast points to a serious weather event, but stressed that preparation is key. Weather and grid conditions will continue to be closely monitored as the storm approaches. COLD WEATHER PREPARATION Winterizing Your HomeBefore the cold, replace worn weatherstripping on doors and windows to ensure a good seal. This will make sure warm air stays inside and cold air stays outside. Most modern windows are sealed inside the frame, but older windows may be sealed with a glaze that can crack and need replacing. The glaze may need to be applied above a certain temperature and it’ll need time to cure — this maintenance is ideally done in the spring or fall. Lastly, check your gutters to ensure they are clear and allow water to flow freely to the downspout. Blocked gutters can lead to water entering the home.  The Texas Department of Insurance also recommends trimming trees away from power…

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With many Americans still recovering from multiple blasts of snow and unrelenting freezing temperatures in the nation’s northern tier, a new storm is set to emerge this weekend that could coat roads, trees and power lines with devastating ice across a wide expanse of the South, including Texas.

Le Parlement européen a récemment adopté une série de propositions visant à améliorer la disponibilité et l’approvisionnement en médicaments critiques. Le point sur ces mesures.