Houston weather expert Matt Lanza on how this week's cold compares to the 2021 freeze

Plus: ERCOT expects to avoid blackouts as Texas power grid to face biggest cold test since 2021 freeze ‌‌

View in browser Afternoon Report Dec. 20, 2022 END OF YEAR SALE: 6 MONTHS FOR 99¢! Start 2023 as a digital subscriber. Subscribe Today. Top Stories   How will this week's cold compare to the 2021 freeze? Houston weather expert Matt Lanza on what to expect We asked local meteorologist Matt Lanza what Houstonians should expect during the upcoming freeze and how it compares to weather in prior years.   'How to pronounce salmon' and other questions Houstonians asked the internet the most in 2022 Google put out its list of top searches for 2022, but we decided to dive a bit deeper into the stats for Houston.   ERCOT expects to avoid blackouts as Texas power grid to face biggest cold test since 2021 freeze As of Monday evening, ERCOT officials said demand during the upcoming freeze was expected to peak at about 9 a.m. Friday at more than 69,312 megawatts — almost 1,900 megawatts more than the grid manager expected for this time of year.   8 places to get the best kolaches and klobasniks in Houston The best places to get the popular Czech breakfast pastry are usually on the road in a small Texas town. But these fruity and savory baked goods are just as good — and maybe even better.   Houston pet owners: It's illegal to leave your pets outside in freezing temperatures Texas law makes it illegal for pet owners to leave their animals outside in extreme weather conditions, including temperatures below 32 degrees.    Visit HoustonChronicle.com Sponsored Content   10 Houston Astros-inspired gifts guaranteed to hit a home run Fans of the World Series champs deserve some champion gifts this year .   15 gifts worth considering from Amazon's curated gift guide There are a ton of places to shop when it comes to holiday presents, but if you want to make a one-stop-shop out of the annual excursion, Amazon just makes sense.   Sign Up   Fort Bend Insider Top stories from Sugar Land, Missouri City and Richmond Sign Up               END OF YEAR SALE: 6 MONTHS FOR 99¢! Unlimited Digital Access Act Now No Commitment | Cancel Anytime Unsubscribe  |  Manage Preferences  |  Privacy Notice Houston Chronicle 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027 © 2022 Hearst Communications