U.S. winter storms could cause power outages, cut natgas supplies | 3 Jan 2025 | Freezing weather and snow storms across the U.S. could cause massive power outages over the next week and boost natural gas demand to its highest levels of the winter, according to energy analysts and reliability coordinators. The bump in demand comes as supplies of gas could drop due to the freezing of oil and gas wells and pipes, known in the energy industry as so-called "freeze-offs." The jump in demand coupled with a drop in supply could drive up prices next week. "Appalachia and Rockies production face freeze-off risks as temperatures drop into the single digits or below," analysts at energy consulting firm Gelber and Associates said in a note.