News Summary
San Antonio had its rainiest day in 12 years, receiving 6.11 inches of rainfall, yet drought conditions persist, especially in West Bexar County. With the U.S. Drought Monitor reporting most of South Texas still facing extreme drought, environmental experts warn that this is one of the city’s most severe droughts in decades. The Edwards Aquifer showed some improvement, but significant rainfall is still needed to alleviate restrictions. As the outlook for rain looks grim, residents are urged to implement water conservation measures.
San Antonio recently recorded its rainiest day in 12 years, which has only partially alleviated the exceptional drought conditions affecting much of the metro area. The historic rainfall occurred on June 12, during which San Antonio International Airport reported a total of 6.11 inches of rain. Despite this significant precipitation, the drought continues to severely impact West Bexar County, which still faces “exceptional drought” status and requires much more rainfall for further improvement.
According to the most recent report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, the findings indicated that while San Antonio has received just under 19 inches of rain for the year—surpassing the average of 16.11 inches for the first half of the year—most areas in South Texas still contend with “extreme” to “exceptional” drought levels. This is in stark contrast to North Texas, which remains largely drought-free.
Bexar County has been under “exceptional drought” designations since February 25, 2025, and has not experienced complete drought relief since late 2021. Furthermore, the current drought situation has worsened year-over-year; mid-June 2024 showed no areas of exceptional drought across Texas, highlighting the deteriorating conditions this year. Environmental experts indicate that San Antonio’s drought is among the most severe seen in decades and is now classified as the city’s second-worst drought in history.
The recent rainfall, although significant, represents only a fraction—nearly a third—of the total rainfall recorded in San Antonio so far up to this point in 2025. Further relief from drought conditions will require substantial additional rainfall, estimated at about 15 to 20 inches within a single month to lift current restrictions across the region. Fortunately, the Edwards Aquifer has seen a rise of around 17 feet, indicating some improvement, with the J-17 well showing increased water levels compared to previous exceptional drought periods.
Unfortunately, the outlook for continued rain appears grim. The forecast indicates diminishing chances for additional precipitation. As hot and humid weather conditions set in, the likelihood of rain drops sharply from 20% on Friday to just 10% on Saturday, and further down to 5% for subsequent days. These weather patterns suggest that residents may need to brace themselves for ongoing dry conditions.
Background on Extended Drought Conditions
The current drought in San Antonio began in March 2022 and is characterized by notably lower water levels than historic drought conditions from the 1950s. Local environmental experts predict a trend of more short-term droughts in the future, primarily driven by increasing population growth, which is putting additional stress on the aquifer resources. This growing demand could further complicate efforts to manage water supplies in the region.
Effective water conservation measures will be essential for San Antonio as the city navigates these challenging meteorological conditions. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about local water use policies and contribute to efforts aimed at mitigating the profound impacts of drought.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio Faces Ongoing Drought Challenges Despite Recent Rainfall
New Mexico Wildfires Rage Across 80,000 Acres
Texas Faces Severe Flooding Risks in Flash Flood Alley
Devastating Flash Flood Hits San Antonio, Claiming Lives
Devastating Flash Floods in San Antonio Claim Lives
Flash Flooding in San Antonio Claims More Lives
Tragic Flash Flooding Claims Lives in San Antonio
Severe Weather Alerts Issued for San Antonio Area
San Antonio Prepares for Tubing Season Amid Drought Challenges
Corpus Christi and San Antonio Rank Among Most Boring Cities
Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio
- Wikipedia: San Antonio drought
- KENS 5
- Google Search: South Texas drought
- KSAT
- Google Scholar: Texas drought history
- Axios San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drought
- Express News
- 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.
