Honestly, if you’ve lived in South Texas long enough, you know the drill. One day you’re wearing shorts and thinking about hitting a patio, and the next, you’re scrambling to find where you stashed the faucet covers. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the vibe in the city just shifted hard.
A massive cold front is currently screaming through Bexar County. Right now, it’s about 55°F outside, but with those northeast winds gusting up to 30 or 35 mph, it feels a lot closer to 50°F. The air is bone-dry. Humidity is sitting at a measly 15%. This isn't just a "jacket weather" situation; it’s actually a bit dangerous for a reason most people forget during the winter.
The Fire Risk Nobody Expected
Because it’s so dry and windy, the National Weather Service (NWS) put all of South-Central Texas under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. tonight. Basically, the grass is dormant and crispy, the wind is howling, and one single spark could turn a backyard BBQ into a nightmare.
Most of the weather news San Antonio is currently tracking revolves around the cold, but the fire risk is the immediate threat.
🔗 Read more: Winnipeg mb weather forecast: Why our winter predictions are getting weirder
Then comes the "big one" for your plants.
By Sunday morning, January 18, we’re looking at a Hard Freeze Warning. We aren't talking about a light frost that disappears by 8 a.m. Forecasters, including Chris Suchan over at News 4, are calling for six to eight hours of sub-freezing temperatures. In San Antonio, we're expecting lows to bottom out in the mid-20s. If you’re out in the Hill Country or near New Braunfels, it could dip even lower into the teens.
Protecting the Four P’s
You've heard it a million times, but this is the first real test of 2026.
- People: Check on neighbors who might not have reliable heat.
- Pets: If it's too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Bring them inside.
- Plants: Cover the sensitive ones or bring them into the garage.
- Pipes: Drip those faucets if your plumbing is exposed.
Looking Back: 2025 Was a Total Rollercoaster
To understand why everyone is so on edge about this freeze, you have to look at what we just went through. Last year was, quite frankly, insane. We dealt with "weather whiplash" that made the history books.
Remember the floods? In June and July of 2025, we went from an "exceptional drought" to a 1-in-1,000-year rain event. It was catastrophic. The Beitel Creek flood in June dumped four inches of rain in a single hour at San Antonio International Airport—the highest hourly total we’ve ever seen. It was heartbreaking, claiming 13 lives after sweeping cars off Perrin-Beitel Road.
Then came the July 4th Hill Country floods. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes near Hunt. It was the deadliest inland flooding event since the 70s, with over 130 lives lost.
After all that water, we fell right back into a drought. By November 2025, we were setting records for the warmest November ever, and the Edwards Aquifer hit historic lows twice in one year.
What’s Coming Next Week?
If you're planning on heading out for the MLK Jr. Day march on Monday, the weather news San Antonio is a bit more optimistic. We’ll start chilly—you’ll definitely need layers—but the afternoon should hit a comfortable 64°F.
The "seesaw" continues after that. By Wednesday, January 21, moisture from the Gulf is going to start sliding back in. We’re looking at rain chances jumping up to 40-60%. It’s much-needed moisture considering Bexar County is still technically in a severe-to-extreme drought, with 100% of the county affected.
Current Reservoir Levels (As of Jan 15, 2026)
- Edwards Aquifer (J-17 Well): 628.7 feet (nearly 40 feet below average)
- Canyon Lake: 61.3% full
- Medina Lake: Still near all-time lows
Actionable Steps for San Antonians
Don't wait until 10 p.m. tonight to start prepping.
First, get your outdoor chores done before the Red Flag Warning ends at 8 p.m. Avoid any outdoor burning. Second, wrap your pipes and check your irrigation systems. SAWS is still maintaining strict watering rules because the aquifer is so low, so make sure your timers aren't going to go off and create an ice rink on your sidewalk tomorrow morning.
Lastly, if you’re planning on any spring planting, maybe hold off. The long-term forecast for the rest of January and February suggests we’re staying in this dry, "warmer than average" pattern, despite these weird weekend freezes. Keep your gear ready, because in San Antonio, the only thing consistent about the weather is that it'll change by lunchtime.