San Antonio weather has taken a dramatic and dangerous turn. If you’re waking up across Bexar, Comal, or Kendall counties this Wednesday morning, the urgent alerts on your phone are real: a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 5:00 AM CDT, and a critical Flash Flood Warning blankets much of the metro area until 7:30 AM. This sudden shift comes after weeks of punishing drought and record heat, catching many residents off guard. With reports of large hail in the Hill Country, rapidly rising creeks, and treacherous road conditions, knowing the latest San Antonio weather forecast isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for safety. This article delivers real-time updates on the ongoing severe threat, breaks down the hour-by-hour and day-by-day forecast with precision, and provides actionable safety guidance straight from the National Weather Service. Whether you’re planning the morning commute, concerned about flooding, or just wondering when the sun will return, we’ve got you covered with authoritative, up-to-the-minute San Antonio weather intelligence.
Breaking: Active Severe Weather Warnings Impacting San Antonio
San Antonio weather is under immediate threat early this Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued critical alerts demanding attention:
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Until 5:00 AM CDT): Active for southeastern Kendall, northwestern Bexar, and southwestern Comal counties. These storms are capable of producing damaging winds (exceeding 58 mph) and large hail (quarter size or larger).
- Flash Flood Warning (Until 7:30 AM CDT): This urgent warning covers a large portion of Bexar County and parts of Kendall and Comal counties, including most of the San Antonio metro area. The NWS stresses: “TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED.” Additional rainfall of 1-3 inches is expected on already saturated ground, rapidly overwhelming creeks, streams, streets, highways, and underpasses. The danger is amplified overnight and in early morning darkness when flood depths are hardest to judge. If you encounter a flooded roadway: TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. Find an alternate route.
This abrupt end to the prolonged drought and extreme heat signifies a significant pattern shift, bringing much-needed rain but also introducing severe hazards.
Your Essential San Antonio Weather Forecast: Hour-by-Hour & Day-by-Day
Navigating San Antonio weather requires a detailed look at what’s happening now and what lies ahead. Here’s your essential forecast breakdown:
- Wednesday (Today):
- Morning (Now – Late AM): Showers and thunderstorms continue, especially west/northwest of downtown. Rain chances near 50% for the metro. Gusty winds and small hail are possible in stronger cells. Flash flooding remains the PRIMARY CONCERN. Temperatures start in the low 70s.
- Afternoon: A lull in widespread rain is likely late morning into early afternoon, with some peeks of sunshine possible. Highs climb to the mid-upper 80s. Humidity remains very high.
- Evening (Late PM): Scattered showers and thunderstorms redevelop (approx. 40% coverage). The Storm Prediction Center has placed San Antonio under a Level 1 (Marginal – 1 out of 5) Risk for severe storms. Isolated threats include quarter-sized hail and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.
- Thursday: Rain chances decrease slightly but remain present (around 30%). Expect scattered showers/storms, mainly developing late afternoon and evening. Lows in the low 70s, highs in the upper 80s. Heat index values could reach the mid-upper 90s due to high humidity.
- Friday: A weak cold front moves through during the first half of the day. This brings only a modest cooldown but lowers humidity slightly. Highs in the mid-80s. A slight (20%) chance of showers/storms exists along the front.
- Weekend Outlook:
- Saturday: A pleasantly cooler start with lows potentially dipping into the upper 60s. Sunshine returns, but highs still rebound to the upper 80s.
- Sunday: The warming trend continues. Mostly sunny skies with highs pushing back into the lower 90s. Humidity starts to increase again.
San Antonio Weather Forecast Summary (Next 5 Days)
| Day | High Temp (°F) | Low Temp (°F) | Rain Chance | Severe Risk | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | Mid-Upper 80s | Low 70s | 50% AM, 40% PM | Level 1 | FLASH FLOOD WARNING. AM storms, PM scattered storms. Hail/wind possible. |
| Thu | Upper 80s | Low 70s | 30% (Late PM) | Low | Humid. Scattered PM storms. |
| Fri | Mid 80s | Upper 60s | 20% (AM) | Low | Weak front AM. Slightly cooler, less humid. |
| Sat | Upper 80s | Upper 60s | 10% | None | Cooler start. Mostly sunny. |
| Sun | Low 90s | Low 70s | 10% | None | Warming up. Increasing humidity. |
Critical Safety Tips for San Antonio Severe Weather
With active San Antonio weather warnings, prioritizing safety is non-negotiable. Adhere to these NWS guidelines:
- Flood Safety is Paramount:
- HEED THE WARNING: Do NOT travel in the Flash Flood Warning area unless absolutely essential. If travel is unavoidable, exercise extreme caution.
- TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN: Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Just 12 inches of water can float most vehicles. The road underneath may be washed out. Find an alternate route.
- Avoid Low-Lying Areas: Steer clear of creeks, streams, drainage ditches, and known flood-prone streets.
- Severe Thunderstorm Safety:
- Seek Shelter Immediately: When thunder roars, go indoors! Move to a sturdy building’s lowest interior room, away from windows. Mobile homes offer little protection.
- Protect from Hail: If caught outside, seek immediate shelter. Protect your head. If driving, safely pull over (away from trees/power lines) and turn away from windows.
- Beware of Lightning: Lightning poses a threat even miles from the main storm. When you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
- Stay Informed: Keep your phone charged and have multiple ways to receive warnings (NWS Wireless Emergency Alerts, local news apps like KSAT, KENS 5, or MySA, NOAA Weather Radio). Monitor reliable local sources like the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office.
Understanding the Shift: From Drought to Deluge in San Antonio Weather
The current severe San Antonio weather represents a dramatic reversal. For much of May, South Texas baked under extreme drought conditions (D3-D4 on the U.S. Drought Monitor) and record-breaking heat. San Antonio set or tied multiple daily high-temperature records. This persistent high-pressure ridge blocked moisture and storm systems.
The pattern shift began subtly late last week as the ridge weakened, allowing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to stream inland. Combined with an approaching upper-level disturbance, the stage was set for widespread rainfall. While desperately needed to combat the drought, the intensity and speed of the transition, hitting hard on already parched ground in some areas, significantly increases the flash flood risk. The ground initially struggles to absorb heavy rain, leading to rapid runoff. This event highlights the volatile nature of South Texas climate – capable of rapid swings between dangerous extremes. Monitoring long-range San Antonio weather forecasts remains crucial as we head towards summer’s peak heat and potential tropical activity.
Conclusion
San Antonio weather demands respect and preparedness, especially during active severe events like the thunderstorms and flash flooding impacting the region this Wednesday morning. Prioritize safety: avoid flooded roads, seek sturdy shelter during storms, and stay informed via trusted sources like the National Weather Service. While the immediate heavy rain provides drought relief, it brings significant hazards. The forecast shows a gradual drying trend late week with a brief, modest cooldown, before temperatures climb back towards seasonal norms this weekend. For the latest real-time updates, radar, and detailed safety information, refer directly to the official National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio forecast page. Stay vigilant and safe, San Antonio!
Read more – Essential San Antonio Weather Guide: 5 Critical Updates & Safety Tips Amid Severe Storms
FAQs: San Antonio Weather & Severe Storms
How does the National Weather Service verify the accuracy of its San Antonio weather warnings?
The NWS employs a multi-faceted approach for verification, grounded in EEAT principles. Meteorologists use real-time data from Doppler radar (detecting hail cores, rotation, intense rainfall rates), trained storm spotters (reporting hail size, wind damage, flooding), automated weather stations (measuring wind gusts, rainfall totals), and advanced weather models. Post-event damage surveys confirm impacts. Their expertise, continuous training, and reliance on observational science ensure warnings are based on the best available evidence to protect the public.
What specific certifications and training do meteorologists at the NWS Austin/San Antonio office hold?
NWS meteorologists hold at minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science from accredited programs. Many hold advanced degrees. They undergo rigorous federal training covering severe storm forecasting, radar interpretation, hydrology (flood forecasting), and effective warning communication. Continuous professional development is mandatory. They often hold certifications from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) or Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) programs, demonstrating a high level of expertise and commitment to ethical standards.
Why is flash flooding such a major concern with these San Antonio storms, even after a drought?
Prolonged drought hardens the soil, significantly reducing its ability to absorb water quickly (like concrete). When intense rainfall hits this “baked” ground, most of the water runs off immediately into streets, ditches, and creeks instead of soaking in. This leads to rapid rises in water levels, overwhelming drainage systems incredibly fast, especially in urban areas like San Antonio. The intensity of the rain (1-3+ inches per hour) is the primary driver, amplified by the drought-impacted ground’s low infiltration rate.
