News Summary
San Antonio experienced historic rainfall, with the airport recording over 2 inches on May 28, surpassing a long-standing record. While this rain brings temporary relief, the region still faces severe drought conditions, with water sources dropping to alarming levels. Local areas reported uneven rainfall totals, and flash flood warnings were issued due to intense thunderstorms. Despite the precipitation, many parts of South-Central Texas remain below average rainfall, highlighting the ongoing water shortage crisis. Immediate actions are being taken to manage the water restrictions as the region assesses the rainfall’s impact.
San Antonio experienced a record-breaking rainfall on Wednesday, May 28, 2024, with the San Antonio International Airport measuring 2.06 inches, surpassing the previous daily record of 1.31 inches set in 1940. This significant weather event occurred after rain began late on Memorial Day and continued through Wednesday morning.
In addition to the airport’s totals, various areas in northern and northwestern San Antonio received as much as 4 inches of rain, while central and southern parts of the county saw markedly lower amounts, with San Antonio Stinson Municipal Airport reporting just 0.25 inches. Flash flood warnings were issued throughout the area due to the unexpected intensity of the thunderstorms that swept in, contributing to this massive rainfall.
On the night of Monday into Tuesday, the airport recorded 2.01 inches, marking the first instance in over a year that San Antonio experienced more than 2 inches of rain in a single day. Between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Wednesday, an additional 2.05 inches fell at the airport, bringing the week’s total to 4.06 inches. However, despite these recent rainfalls, many regions of South-Central Texas continue to face severe drought conditions.
Bexar County has been classified as experiencing an “Exceptional Drought” since mid-March, and the region has been struggling with water shortages, with reports indicating that since August 1 of the preceding year, the area has been over a foot below average rainfall totals. In the broader scope, San Antonio has recorded just 10.17 inches of rain for the year, which is 2.25 inches short of the expected amount for this time, placing the city at a staggering 44.2 inches below its anticipated rainfall over the last ten months. This puts San Antonio at the top among major Texas cities for rainfall deficits.
The drought’s impact is evident in local freshwater sources, with water levels at Medina Lake and Canyon Lake nearing record lows due to lack of precipitation. Furthermore, the Edwards Aquifer has dropped to its lowest level since 1990, prompting the city to initiate stage 5 water restrictions for the first time, which affects water availability for residential, commercial, and agricultural use.
Local reports indicated that rainfall totals varied significantly across the region, with locations like Helotes, Leon Springs, Castle Hills, and Stone Oak generally recording between 2 to 3 inches. Meanwhile, neighboring areas also reported significant, but lesser amounts, such as New Braunfels with 1.07 inches and San Marcos at 1.64 inches.
Despite the relief that the recent downpour may provide, meteorologists emphasize that ongoing significant rainfall will be essential for a meaningful end to the multi-year drought. The coming weeks will determine if this weather pattern can continue and if South-Central Texas can recover from its prolonged water shortages.
In conclusion, while the recent rain in San Antonio offers temporary relief, the larger issue of drought persists, highlighting the need for a sustained return to average rainfall levels to effectively address the ongoing crisis affecting the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Weather Alerts Issued for South Texas Regions
San Antonio Faces Severe Weather After Hailstorm
San Antonio Faces Severe Thunderstorm Risks Overnight
San Antonio Faces Severe Weather Threats During Military Ceremony
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Damage in San Antonio
Severe Thunderstorms Hit San Antonio
San Antonio Faces Severe Heat and Thunderstorm Alerts
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Express-News
- Wikipedia: Drought
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google Search: San Antonio rainfall record
- NEWS4SA
- Google Scholar: Texas drought impact
- KSAT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio weather
- KSAT
- Google News: San Antonio drought
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.
