News Summary
Despite some recent rainfall in South Texas, many areas in San Antonio and surrounding counties are still experiencing severe drought conditions. While Bexar County has seen slight improvements, key regions remain in exceptional drought. The Edwards Aquifer has risen significantly, but water levels in local lakes such as Medina Lake are critically low. Predictions indicate that drought conditions may persist into the summer, necessitating substantial rainfall for recovery and highlighting the need for effective water management in the area.
San Antonio Faces Ongoing Drought Challenges Despite Recent Rainfall
A recent drought update reveals that while South Texas has seen some improvement in drought conditions, many areas are still grappling with severe and exceptional drought. Significant rainfall in the region has led to modest relief, but the water crisis remains a critical issue.
Portions of Bexar County have experienced slight relief from drought, with the central and eastern areas advancing to the extreme drought category, a one-category upgrade. Despite this progress, western Bexar, Medina, and Uvalde counties remain classified under the exceptional drought category.
The Edwards Aquifer levels have seen a notable rise of approximately 17 feet since hitting a low of 623 feet on May 22, highlighting the impact of the recent rainfall. San Antonio reported its rainiest day in 12 years on June 12, accumulating over 6.4 inches, which has contributed to the improvement in local conditions. However, the cumulative rainfall deficit since 2022 still exceeds 38 inches.
Despite recent rainfall, Texas remains under rigorous drought conditions. As of Thursday, 36% of the state continues to experience some level of drought, with significantly affected regions primarily situated along the I-10 corridor. San Antonio benefited from 19 inches of rain this year, outpacing the average of 16.11 inches by mid-year, yet the persistent dry period earlier this year, with only 1.71 inches received in January and February, brought mounting challenges.
Local Water Supply in Jeopardy
Although there have been improvements in the Edwards Aquifer index well J-17, which showed a 7-foot increase, it remains precariously positioned in the exceptional drought tier since last fall. Water bodies like Medina Lake and Canyon Lake currently face critical levels, with Medina Lake at a mere 2.5% capacity and Canyon Lake at 48%.
While some indexes show moderate recovery, the Hondo index well remains dangerously low in the exceptional drought zone, indicating that the area is still in need of significant water replenishment. Local forecasts predict minimal rain chances for San Antonio in the coming days, further complicating recovery efforts.
Future Rain Prospects and Climate Conditions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center advises that drought conditions may persist throughout the summer months. However, the end of La Niña conditions transitioning into a neutral ENSO phase may enhance the possibility of regular rainfall in the near future, which is critical for alleviating the current situation.
Months of sustained rainfall above average levels will be necessary to achieve full hydrological recovery in the affected areas. Fire danger has surged in South Texas due to the ongoing dry spell, emphasizing the urgency for effective water management practices and resources to combat this environmental challenge.
Current Drought Classification
The U.S. Drought Monitor utilizes a classification system ranging from abnormally dry (D0) to exceptional drought (D4) to convey the severity of drought conditions. As of now, remarkable improvements have been made in some areas, but challenges persist as 55% of Bexar County remains under exceptional drought conditions, particularly in the central and southern regions, while northern Bexar County is classified as experiencing extreme drought.
Effective strategies and significant rainfall are necessary to mitigate the crisis in the region, which is still reeling from the severe consequences of prolonged drought. The path toward recovery will demand concerted efforts and community awareness to manage water resources judiciously.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT – San Antonio Drought
- Wikipedia: Drought in Texas
- KENS5 – Texas Drought Update
- Google Search: San Antonio Drought 2025
- KSAT – Drought Monitor
- Google Scholar: Texas Drought Impacts 2025
- News4SanAntonio – Drought Conditions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Drought
- Express News – Exceptional Drought
- Google News: Texas Drought News
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.
