December 2022 Winter Storm Review
From Dec. 21 to 26, 2022, an extratropical cyclone, unofficially named Winter Storm Elliott by The Weather Channel, created extreme conditions including blizzards, high winds and record cold temperatures. This event affected the entire SPP region and presented significant challenges for SPP and its members. This extreme cold weather event, following closely on the heels of the winter storm of February 2021, indicates that “historic” extreme weather events may become a regular experience for SPP.
The lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri, many of which are still being incorporated into SPP’s daily processes, were extremely helpful in SPP’s response to Elliott. Staff suggest fully implementing the Uri recommendations, which are expected to be completed in 2023.
After a review of SPP’s performance during the 2022 winter storm, staff identified a limited number of changes that could help SPP and its stakeholders be better prepared for extreme events in the future. These recommended changes are to internal processes, tools or functions and should not require additional resources or stakeholder prioritization to complete. Though the new recommendations can be accomplished internally, SPP staff will continue to collaborate with stakeholders, because SPP’s success, in the past, present and future, depends largely on the strength of its stakeholder engagement.
Read more about SPP's performance during Winter Storm Elliott in the reported titled "Review of SPP's Response to the Dec. 2022 Winter Storm", and in the summary presentation delivered to SPP's board on April 25, 2023.