What to Expect This Winter: Repeat Texas Freeze Possible and Below-Average Temperatures in New York City
The Old Farmer's Almanac, a long-standing publication analyzing weather patterns, predicts more extreme cold weather in Texas and Oklahoma this winter. A particularly cold stretch is forecasted in late January 2022. According to the Almanac's 2021-2022 Winter Weather Forecast, colder than average temperatures should also be expected in New York City and surrounding areas. Markedly colder weather should be expected there throughout December, mid-January and early to mid-February.
Here's exactly what The Almanac expects: “For our friends in the Southern Great Plains, including Texas and Oklahoma, we are sorry to report that late January may bring some potentially frigid and flaky weather like you experienced last winter,” Farmer’s Almanac said. “Hopefully, it won’t be as robust, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.” From: Page 141 of the 2021-2022 Almanac.
The Almanac correctly predicted that Texas, Louisiana and eastern New Mexico would experience a winter storm in February 2021. Their detailed February forecasts for the 16-19th expected "colder conditions" and listed "heavy snow in much of Texas, Oklahoma and eastern New Mexico" from the 20th-23rd. Starting the week of the 15th, intense cold brought on by Winter Storm Uri caused unprecedented low temperatures as well as extended water, food and power outages throughout the region.
These circumstances were especially severe in Texas, which announced a state of emergency in all counties. Eventually, the federal government officially approved a Texas Disaster Declaration. Regrettably, hundreds of Texans died, as the extreme conditions led to subsequent failure of the state's power grid. Now, the million dollar question is: Has the state taken corrective, meaningful action to prevent another winter crisis? I will post on that soon.
During the winter weather crisis, several thousand residents also experienced residential water damage as most plumbing systems in the state aren't build to withstand extreme cold and power losses. The cold snap caused water in pipes to freeze. Pipes burst as the frozen water expanded when below freezing temperatures persisted for days.
Preparation Steps:
Have solar-powered lamps and chargers ready. I listed some here in a past post on disaster preparedness during hurricanes.
TIP FOR MUNICIPAL WATER CUSTOMERS: To avoid costly water damage during prolonged freezes, turn off the main water supply at BOTH the residence AND public water meters (typically adjacent to a sidewalk).
Also, The Almanac is available on Amazon:
(Paperback)
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