Honestly, it was just yesterday that we were all enjoying that weirdly comfortable 72-degree warmth, but San Antonio is about to get a very cold wake-up call. If you’ve been living in South Texas long enough, you know the drill, but this weekend's shift is looking particularly sharp. We aren't just talking about a "light jacket" kind of cool; we are staring down the barrel of the first official widespread freeze of the season.
Basically, a potent cold front is currently sliding through, and it’s bringing more than just a temperature drop.
What to expect Saturday: Wind and Fire Risks
Saturday is going to feel like a completely different season compared to Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for all of south-central Texas, including San Antonio, starting at 10 a.m. and running until 8 p.m. this evening.
Why? Because the air is becoming incredibly dry. We’re talking relative humidity levels potentially dropping as low as 12% to 16%. When you pair that bone-dry air with north winds gusting between 20 and 30 mph, you get a recipe for "critical fire weather."
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- Saturday's High: A chilly 58°F.
- The Vibe: Sunny but windy and cold.
- The Danger: Avoid any outdoor burning. Don't even think about tossing a cigarette butt or parking your car in tall, dry grass. One spark is all it takes today.
The Sunday Morning Freeze: The Big One
If you have sensitive plants or older pipes, Saturday night is your deadline. As the winds die down and the skies stay clear, we’re going to see what meteorologists call "radiational cooling."
Basically, all the heat from the day is going to escape into space, and temperatures will crater.
By sunrise Sunday, San Antonio is expected to hit a low of 30°F, but many surrounding areas and wind-protected valleys in the Hill Country could see the mid-20s or even upper teens. This is the first "hard freeze" for many of us this winter. The City of San Antonio is already pushing the "4 P's" message: People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes.
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Sunday afternoon will recover slightly with a high of 60°F under full sun, but that morning start is going to be brutal. It’s the kind of cold that makes the coffee taste better but makes your car's tire pressure light go off.
Looking Ahead: MLK Day and Rain
For those planning to participate in the 39th annual MLK March on Monday, the weather forecast for San Antonio Texas this weekend ends on a slightly more "pleasant but layered" note.
The morning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day will start off chilly—around 40°F at sunrise—but it should climb to about 50°F by the 10 a.m. start of the march. By noon, we’re looking at lower 60s. You’ll definitely want a jacket to start, but you’ll likely be carrying it by the time you reach the end of the route.
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What about rain?
You can leave the umbrella in the closet for the weekend. We stay dry through Monday. However, the "active" part of this weather pattern returns Tuesday night and Wednesday. Meteorologists like Sarah Spivey are already tracking a "good shot" at widespread rain for the middle of next week, with some areas potentially seeing up to an inch of much-needed moisture.
Your Weekend Checklist
Don't wait until the sun goes down on Saturday to start your prep.
- Drip the faucets: Especially if you have pipes on exterior walls.
- Cover the greens: If you can't bring your plants inside, heavy blankets are better than plastic.
- Check the neighbors: Specifically the elderly who might struggle with the sudden temperature swing.
- Watch the wind: Secure any loose patio furniture before those 25 mph gusts start knocking things over on Saturday afternoon.
The weather forecast for San Antonio Texas this weekend is a classic "Texas Seesaw." We go from spring-like air to fire hazards to a freezing Sunday morning in about 48 hours. Stay warm, stay safe, and maybe keep a few extra blankets handy for Sunday morning.