Honestly, if you stepped outside in San Antonio tonight expecting that typical South Texas mildness, you probably got a rude awakening. It is cold. Like, actually cold. As of 11:21 PM on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, the mercury in San Antonio has settled at 43°F.
That might not sound like "Arctic tundra" levels to someone from Chicago, but for us? It's significant. Especially since the city just clawed its way through a Hard Freeze Warning earlier this morning. We’re currently sitting under clear night skies with a light 4 mph wind coming out of the southwest. Humidity is hovering at 40%, making the air feel crisp and dry.
Basically, it's the kind of night where you realize your "heavy" hoodie isn't doing the job.
The Weather Right Now in San Antonio and Why It’s Breaking Records
We’ve been waiting for this. Most locals know that San Antonio usually sees its first freeze way before mid-January. According to Chris Suchan, Chief Meteorologist at News 4 San Antonio, the city has rarely gone this deep into the winter season without hitting the freezing mark. But Sunday morning changed that.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Austin/San Antonio office reported that some areas in Bexar County dipped as low as 26°F early this morning. We saw a widespread freeze across the region, with some spots in the Hill Country even hitting the teens.
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Right now, we are in a bit of a recovery phase, but the ground is still radiating all that lost heat back into the clear sky.
What the Numbers Actually Mean for Your Monday
If you’re looking at the weather right now in San Antonio and planning your MLK Day commute, don't let the "sunny" forecast for tomorrow fool you into a short-sleeve shirt.
- Tonight’s Low: We are looking at a bottom-out point of 30°F.
- The Wind Factor: It's light—currently 4 mph—but even a tiny breeze at 30 degrees makes it feel like the air is biting.
- Monday’s High: We should hit 60°F, which sounds great, but that’s a 30-degree swing.
That kind of temperature volatility is a classic San Antonio move. You start the day in a parka and end it wondering why you didn't bring sunglasses and a light cardigan.
Beyond the Thermometer: The 4 P’s Strategy
When the weather shifts this fast, the City of San Antonio and organizations like SAWS (San Antonio Water System) start sounding the alarm on the "4 P's." It’s not just catchy alliteration; it’s basically a survival guide for our infrastructure.
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People and Pipes
If you haven't dripped your faucets yet, you might want to consider it if you're in one of those low-lying areas or older neighborhoods where insulation is a suggestion rather than a rule. The city opened warming centers earlier today, including Corazon San Antonio at Travis Park Church, to make sure everyone had a place to escape the sub-freezing temps.
Pets and Plants
Seriously, bring the dogs inside. San Antonio Animal Care Services is pretty strict about this—state law actually bans chaining dogs outside during extreme weather, which includes anything below 32°F. Fines can go up to $2,000. It’s just not worth it. As for your hibiscus? If it wasn't covered by 2 AM last night, it’s probably toast, but you can still save the hardy perennials tonight.
Is More Rain on the Way?
The air is bone-dry right now (0% chance of rain tonight), but the humidity is going to start creeping back up as the week progresses. By Tuesday night and throughout Wednesday, those rain chances jump up to about 40–65%.
It's going to be a messy mid-week.
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We’re essentially trapped in a cycle of "freeze, thaw, rain, repeat." The NWS Area Forecast Discussion suggests that while we’ll see a slight warming trend into the mid-60s by Monday afternoon, another front is already eyeing the weekend of January 24th.
Actionable Steps for the Next 24 Hours
Don't get caught off guard by the local climate's mood swings.
- Check your tire pressure. Cold air makes the pressure drop, and that "low tire" light is definitely going to pop up on a few San Antonio dashboards tomorrow morning.
- Layer, don't bundle. Since we're jumping from 30°F to 60°F, wear things you can peel off. A heavy coat over a t-shirt is a mistake you’ll regret by 2 PM.
- Keep the pipes in mind. Even if we stay just above freezing in the "urban heat island" parts of town, the outskirts are still hitting that danger zone.
- Hydrate your plants. Oddly enough, watering your plants before a freeze helps protect the roots because moist soil stays warmer than dry soil.
The weather right now in San Antonio is a reminder that winter in South Texas is never really "over" until March—it just takes occasional naps. Stay warm tonight, watch for those patchily frozen spots on the road early tomorrow, and keep an eye on the mid-week rain forecast.