News Summary
San Antonio is under a weather alert as a severe heat wave and thunderstorms threaten the region from May 22 to Memorial Day. With temperatures reaching near 100 degrees and high humidity, heat indices may hit 105 degrees. The holiday weekend forecasts increasing rain chances, worsening the drought situation. Residents are advised to take precautions against heat-related health risks and stay informed about the severe weather alerts, including potential tornado risks.
San Antonio is under a weather alert as a significant heat wave and severe thunderstorm threats are expected from Thursday, May 22, through Memorial Day, May 26. The National Weather Service has forecasted heat indices that could soar near 105 degrees, combined with a growing chance for thunderstorms that may impact holiday weekend plans.
The city is currently experiencing a heat wave with temperatures climbing to triple digits, hitting levels that are 10 to 12 degrees above normal for this time of year. While the average temperature in San Antonio during late May typically peaks around 87 degrees, upcoming forecasts predict afternoon highs approaching 100 degrees. Along with the heat, high humidity levels will contribute to heat indices that may reach dangerous levels, putting residents at increased health risks.
As the holiday weekend progresses, rain chances are set to increase significantly. On Sunday, there is a 10% chance of rain at night, which escalates to 60% on Memorial Day as thunderstorms may roll into the area. San Antonio has been in dire need of rainfall after receiving only 0.19 inches throughout the month, worsening the ongoing exceptional drought situation that has persisted since mid-March.
Day-by-Day Weather Forecast
The following is the detailed weather breakdown for the days leading up to and including Memorial Day:
- Thursday: Low of 74 degrees, high of 98 degrees, heat index up to 103, light winds around 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: Low of 74, high of 98, with a cloudy morning, transitioning to a sunny afternoon. The heat index is expected to approach 102 degrees, with wind gusts up to 20 mph.
- Saturday: Low of 75, high of 97, windy conditions with gusts exceeding 25 mph, and a heat index reaching 101.
- Sunday: Low of 76, high of 97, partly sunny skies anticipated, along with a 40% chance of storms developing at night and wind gusts reaching 20 mph.
- Memorial Day: Low of 76, with a high of 97 degrees and a 60% chance of rain.
- Tuesday: Following Memorial Day, temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 68 degrees with a high of 88 degrees, accompanied by moderate rain chances of 30% during the day and 20% at night.
Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watch
Initial severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of Medina and Bexar counties, including areas like Castroville and Helotes. These warnings indicate the possibility of quarter-sized hail and winds reaching 60 mph. Additionally, a tornado watch has been established for a large portion of Texas, including 41 counties along the I-35 corridor, affecting areas such as New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Austin. Although a brief tornado warning was issued for regions near Johnson City and Marble Falls, it was later canceled as conditions weakened.
Health and Safety Advisories
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions during the high heat conditions, especially when planning outdoor activities. The high temperatures have also led to ozone air quality alerts, indicating elevated levels of ozone which could pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
As San Antonio navigates this heat wave and the possibility of severe weather, residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions over the Memorial Day weekend.
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Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio – Severe Weather Risk
- Wikipedia: Weather
- Express News – Tornado Watch
- Google Search: Texas Weather Alert
- KENS 5 – Memorial Day Weather Forecast
- Google Scholar: Weather Forecasting San Antonio
- KENS 5 – Heat Wave Alert
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Droughts
- KSAT – Air Quality Alerts
- Google News: Ozone Levels San Antonio
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
