Skip to content
Do you have adblock enabled?
 
If you can read this, either the style sheet didn't load or you have an older browser that doesn't support style sheets. Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page.

(Texas Tribune)   Texas power grid expected to hold against forecasted wind chills as low as -30F in some areas of the state. Never mind that each time it's failed it's been "completely unforeseen." Tag for the weather, not the grid   (texastribune.org) divider line
49
    More: Cool, Power outage, electric grid, State officials, Gov. Greg Abbott, Storm, state's main electric grid, even lower wind chills, state leaders  
•       •       •

376 clicks; posted to STEM » on 22 Dec 2022 at 2:22 PM (13 weeks ago)   |   Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook



49 Comments     (+0 »)
View Voting Results: Smartest and Funniest
 
SpectroBoy [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:36:31 PM  
Here's where Texans get rewarded for consistently voting for the party that doesn't want to use government money to help actual people instead of corporations.
 
phalamir [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 1:39:49 PM  
Texas' power grid is a bunch of vacuum cleaner power cords strung on rotting fence posts and powered by two benzene generators in Galveston.  If you consider it falling to pieces as unforeseen, you are one blind motherfarker
 
Weaver95
2022-12-22 1:40:24 PM  
Good luck Texas. Y'all are going to need it!
 
bobtheme [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:41:36 PM  
I'm near Dallas.  Already lost power once.  Temp was in the 20s.  Not even at its worst yet.

And yes, I consistently vote blue.  The minute I have enough cash to move I'm out.
 
Rev.K [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:42:59 PM  
It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now
 
question_dj [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 1:43:49 PM  
East Dallas here. It's windy, cold. I did an inadequate job of covering my brassicas. Still have power and gas. Having a humidifier for the house seems to help keep it warmer. Because humid air holds heat better than dry air.
;
 
bobtheme [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:43:53 PM  

Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now


This is an EXTREMELY rare event.

Typically winter temps are 30-40F.
 
question_dj [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 1:44:56 PM  

Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now


https://www.instagram.com/p/CmerUWLOHLO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Naw, it's -25 before the wind chill. And out there in West Texas, it's windy.
 
scottydoesntknow [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 1:46:58 PM  
Family business is stationed in Houston, so we are as well. We got a generator installed this year. Got the process started the week after the Feb. 2021 Deep Freeze and our power was out for 3 days. Took over a year to finally have it up and running. Hoping it doesn't have to run, but we're ready in case it does.
 
Wanebo [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:47:07 PM  
If someone is asking about it then it's failure isn't completely unforeseen, now is it?
 
make me some tea [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:49:15 PM  
Houston is going from 60 degrees to 19 degrees overnight
https://spacecityweather.com/today-will-be-one-of-the-strangest-weather-days-of-your-life/
 
Gubbo [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:50:34 PM  

bobtheme: Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now

This is an EXTREMELY rare event.

Typically winter temps are 30-40F.


Except for like, was it last winter as well?
 
dr_blasto [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 1:56:44 PM  
Hey, Texans. Good luck and I hope your power holds up against this brutal weather. Your government is both corrupt and incompetent and do not have your best interests in mind, only propping up their rich friends' industries on your back and maintaining their grip on power. That's all Abbot cares about - so you'll need the luck.

You should fire everyone in the majority in power in your state, though. It's the only way to fix what is a very serious problem.
 
Stile4aly [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 2:00:06 PM  
Fark user imageView Full Size
 
ArkPanda [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:02:09 PM  
This is Texas independence. An independent power grid at least.
 
Jake Havechek [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:02:16 PM  
Yeah, you guys might be farked.  Has Ted Cruz left for Cancun yet?
 
Notabunny [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:02:25 PM  
Has anyone seen Ted Cruz?
 
Notabunny [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:03:54 PM  

Jake Havechek: Yeah, you guys might be farked.  Has Ted Cruz left for Cancun yet?


/shakes tiny fist
 
Gaythiest Elitist [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:08:47 PM  

bobtheme: Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now

This is an EXTREMELY rare event.

Typically winter temps are 30-40F.


Clearly, Jesus is punishing them for voting Republican.
 
Ker_Thwap [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 2:17:18 PM  

Gaythiest Elitist: bobtheme: Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now

This is an EXTREMELY rare event.

Typically winter temps are 30-40F.

Clearly, Jesus is punishing them for voting Republican.


The Republicans can keep warm burning their big boy pull up bootstraps.
 
Shostie [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:18:18 PM  

Jake Havechek: Yeah, you guys might be farked.  Has Ted Cruz left for Cancun yet?


He's like the Anti-Cantore.

When either Jim Cantore shows up or Ted Cruz makes a beeline for the tropics, it's time to get the f*ck out of dodge.
 
Ker_Thwap [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 2:20:02 PM  

Notabunny: Has anyone seen Ted Cruz?


Where's Waldo Teddo?
i.ytimg.comView Full Size
 
scanman61
2022-12-22 2:26:52 PM  
What about the gas network?  My understanding is that the big problem last time was the natural gas wellheads froze up internally, cutting off the gas supplies to the generation stations.
 
Staffist [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 2:31:06 PM  
Present blizzard conditions in north Dallas county, with blowing and drifting snow:
Fark user imageView Full Size

Fark user imageView Full Size
 
Copperbelly watersnake
2022-12-22 2:35:48 PM  
ERCOT is the Eric Cartman of the US electrical grid.

Any other state runs into major problems, utilities in other parts of the country will come to their aid. Texas wanted to do their own thing free from federal regulation pretty much cut themselves off from the rest of the country.

We're going to be over mhere. You guys with your FERC regulations can be over there.
 
fat boy
2022-12-22 2:36:03 PM  
While Abbott warned that the dangerous temperatures could lead to sharply higher electricity demand, he said the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the nonprofit that manages the power grid, should be able to handle the demand "with ease."


"One thing that we do know is with the ultra-cold temperatures for several days, there are many people in the state of Texas who may be concerned about the power grid," he said. "But we expect the grid to remain up and running very robustly during this very cold snap."


LOL
 
phalamir [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:37:11 PM  

Copperbelly watersnake: ERCOT is the Eric Cartman of the US electrical grid.


He's a complete waste of space, but even I have to admit that you were too insulting to Cartman.
 
phalamir [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:38:18 PM  

fat boy: But we expect the grid to remain up and running very robustly during this very cold snap."


LOL


It's going to run, then go "Ruh-Roh!", and bust.  Same as it did last time.  So, he's technically correct
 
Jake Havechek [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:40:47 PM  
Conservative bastards are always going "glerball werming!!!", so it always tickles me when they get farked by an extreme weather event.
 
vudukungfu [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 2:42:59 PM  
Violently proud of their inability to be prepared
 
iToad [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 2:46:53 PM  
Their grid is either ready or it isn't. They're not going to be able to tapdance and bullshiat their way around this. Let's wait a week or so and see what happens.
 
usernameguy
2022-12-22 2:50:14 PM  
Inanimate objects aren't affected by wind chill.

/I mean, I guess they'd cool off to the equilibrium temperature faster if they're wet, but otherwise, no.
 
make me some tea [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 2:59:30 PM  
NASA put out this poster explaining what's happening

eoimages.gsfc.nasa.govView Full Size
 
make me some tea [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 3:00:29 PM  

make me some tea: NASA put out this poster explaining what's happening

[eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov image 850x857]


Oops, there was an overlay that didn't make it into the image, anyway click the picture and you'll open the article.
 
aarond12
2022-12-22 3:04:28 PM  
14 months ago, I got solar and batteries installed in my North Texas home. I'm not trusting the power grid.
/yes, my system works when the grid is down
 
E_Henry_Thripshaws_Disease
2022-12-22 3:12:43 PM  
we libruls in Cali laugh at your shenanigans
 
Barbeaubot
2022-12-22 4:16:16 PM  
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, we will be grilling our xmas dinner and enjoying 80F sunshine. This is clearly punishment for something.
 
E_Henry_Thripshaws_Disease
2022-12-22 4:24:17 PM  
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, we will be grilling our xmas dinner and enjoying 80F sunshine. This is clearly punishment for something.

You Bastards in SoCal , stop watering your lawns with our (NorCal) water
 
Chemlight Battery
2022-12-22 4:53:37 PM  
Oh good. Another thread where farkers think the Texas grid will collapse because they don't actually understand what took it down last time. It's been a few weeks since we've had one of these. I think last time we had this thread it was because of some snow up in the panhandle.
 
JammerJim [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 4:58:06 PM  

bobtheme: Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now

This is an EXTREMELY rare event.

Typically winter temps are 30-40F.


This isn't all that extreme. The amount of the state that will be below freezing overnight is unusual (and the speed of the change is somewhat unusual), but more in the way that left-handed people are unusual. Cold snaps with lows in the 20's happen 2-4 times every winter to a line well below San Antonio.

Last summer I went to an event that had the guy ERCOT hired to run things after the previous guy was canned. I was impressed despite deep suspicions going in. I don't think the grid has had *enough* done to shore things up, but the lack of heavy ice and snow probably means we'll be okay this time.

I did buy a big-arse battery and some portable solar panels, though.
 
raygundan
2022-12-22 5:23:52 PM  

phalamir: Texas' power grid


Is it really a "grid" if it isn't connected to anything else?
 
Russ1642
2022-12-22 5:42:41 PM  
The best way to heat your home in those conditions is to bring your barbecue inside. Or run your car on idle in the garage and leave the door leading to the house open so the heat can get in.
 
make me some tea [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-22 5:45:50 PM  

Barbeaubot: Meanwhile in Los Angeles, we will be grilling our xmas dinner and enjoying 80F sunshine. This is clearly punishment for something.


Our judgement cometh, perhaps in June
 
scanman61
2022-12-22 6:30:15 PM  

Chemlight Battery: Oh good. Another thread where farkers think the Texas grid will collapse because they don't actually understand what took it down last time.


Ummm, the moisture in untreated "wet" natural gas froze up in the valving at the wellheads, cutting off the natural gas fuel supply to the natural gas powered generators?
 
Concrete Donkey
2022-12-22 6:37:58 PM  

make me some tea: Houston is going from 60 degrees to 19 degrees overnight
https://spacecityweather.com/today-will-be-one-of-the-strangest-weather-days-of-your-life/


Oh wow. A 41 degree temperature change that only ends at 19


Denver went from 51 on wendsday afternoon to -17 thursday morning
 
scottydoesntknow [TotalFark]
2022-12-22 6:53:17 PM  
It's officially below freezing at our house. Mo City.
 
Ivo Shandor [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2022-12-23 12:16:40 AM  

scanman61: Chemlight Battery: Oh good. Another thread where farkers think the Texas grid will collapse because they don't actually understand what took it down last time.

Ummm, the moisture in untreated "wet" natural gas froze up in the valving at the wellheads, cutting off the natural gas fuel supply to the natural gas powered generators?


Also a sensor froze on a cooling water inlet line for one of the nuclear reactors, triggering a shutdown.
 
Paleorific
2022-12-23 11:16:08 AM  

Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now


The Panhandle of Texas is above 1000 meters in elevation, Amarillo is almost 1200 meters.
CSB: I grew up in the area raising cattle, one year a very late cold snap, froze the ears and tails off the newborn calves.
 
Shakin_Haitian
2022-12-23 4:34:10 PM  

Gubbo: bobtheme: Rev.K: It gets to -30F in Texas?

I know that's with windchill, but really?

I know it snows there sometimes and I know it can get cold, but didn't know it got that cold.

/I'm in Canada
//and it's -33F with windchill here right now

This is an EXTREMELY rare event.

Typically winter temps are 30-40F.

Except for like, was it last winter as well?


And didn't it happen like a decade ago as well?
 
Displayed 49 of 49 comments

View Voting Results: Smartest and Funniest

Redisplay/refresh comments
This thread is closed to new comments.

Continue Farking

If you like these links, you'll love

TotalFark

$10 a month since 19 aught diddly.

learn more | sign up
On Twitter

  1. Links are submitted by members of the Fark community.

  2. When community members submit a link, they also write a custom headline for the story.

  3. Other Farkers comment on the links. This is the number of comments. Click here to read them.

  4. Click here to submit a link.