Honestly, if you’ve lived in San Antonio for more than a week, you know the drill. One day you're wearing a t-shirt at a Pearl brewery outdoor table, and the next, you're frantically covering your sago palms because a "blue norther" decided to crash the party.
Right now, we are staring down a forecast that is basically a classic South Texas rollercoaster.
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The Immediate Chill: Bundle Up
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a bit of a wake-up call. We are coming off a Friday where it hit a lovely 72°F, but those days are gone for a minute. Today’s high is only struggling to reach 57°F.
It’s sunny, sure, but that 13 mph north-northeast wind makes it feel a lot sharper. If you're heading out to a Spurs game or just grabbing breakfast tacos, you’ll need the heavy hoodie.
But the real story is tonight.
We are looking at a hard freeze. Most of the San Antonio metro area is dropping to 30°F, and if you’re out in the Hill Country—think Boerne or Spring Branch—it’s going to be even colder, likely dipping into the mid-20s. This is the first widespread freeze of the 2026 season. National Weather Service meteorologists out of the Austin/San Antonio office have been hammering this point home: protect the "four Ps" (People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes).
The MLK Day Outlook
Sunday remains crisp with a high of 60°F after that freezing start. It’s perfect "sweater weather" for a walk at Phil Hardberger Park.
Looking ahead to Monday, January 19, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march, things start to moderate slightly. We’ll see a high of 65°F. It’ll be chilly in the morning—around 38°F—so if you're participating in the march, dress in layers. You'll definitely be shedding that jacket by noon.
Rain is Coming Back (Finally)
For a long time, we’ve been talking about the drought. The shift from La Niña toward a more neutral ENSO pattern in early 2026 is finally starting to show some results in our local rain gauges.
Our San Antonio 2 week weather forecast shows a significant shift toward "overrunning" rain patterns starting Tuesday, January 20.
Basically, warm, moist air from the Gulf is going to slide over the cooler air at the surface. That means gray skies and drizzle.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 61°F. Rain chances start low at 10% during the day but ramp up at night.
- Wednesday: This looks like the wettest day of the week. Expect light rain with a high of 67°F.
- The Weekend (Jan 24-25): We stay in this unsettled pattern. Temperatures will actually climb back into the low 72°F range by Saturday, but keep the umbrella handy as rain chances hover around 25%.
Why the Forecast Changes So Fast
A lot of people get frustrated when the "100% chance of rain" turns into a few sprinkles. In San Antonio, we are caught between the dry air of the Chihuahuan Desert and the tropical moisture of the Gulf of Mexico.
When a cold front stalls just south of us, we get that "grey soup" weather. If it pushes too far, we dry out and freeze. It’s a delicate balance.
By the end of next week, around January 26, the data suggests we’ll see another dip in temperatures with highs back in the 65°F range and a lingering 35% chance of rain.
Actionable Next Steps
- Drip those faucets tonight: Since we are hitting 30°F, it’s better to be safe than sorry with your exterior pipes.
- Bring the pets in: It’s not just a suggestion; San Antonio Animal Care Services has zero tolerance for leaving dogs out in freezing temps, and fines can hit $2,000.
- Check your heater: If you haven’t turned it on yet this year, expect that "dust burning" smell for the first few minutes.
- Plan for a wet Wednesday: If you have outdoor projects or car washes planned, move them to Monday or wait until next Friday.
Keep an eye on the sky. South Texas weather doesn't care about your plans, but at least now you know what's coming.