Heavy rain is likely in San Antonio as a cold front moves in
The long-awaited cold front has made its way near San Antonio and finally brought some relief from the triple-digit heat. High temperatures on Tuesday rose to the mid 90s, and we will be a few degrees cooler on Wednesday. Along with temperatures near average for this time of year, Wednesday will also see an increase in cloud cover and a good chance of some rain.
The cold front has basically stalled across South Texas. The front is keeping temperatures in the 70s and 80s in central and north Texas, while temperatures in the 90s are still widespread south of the front, along the Texas Gulf Coast and Rio Grande Valley.
San Antonio is just barely on the south side of a stalled cold front, which will likely push temperatures into the low 90s on Wednesday. However, with cloud cover expected to increase throughout the day, some locations may be lucky enough to stay in the upper 80s, especially in the Hill Country.
Overall, you can expect Wednesday morning temperatures in the mid-70s, but temperatures will rise at a slower pace than in recent weeks. Temperatures will be in the 80s at noon, and we will reach approximately 92 to 93 degrees in San Antonio by late afternoon. A cold front certainly doesn’t provide “cold” weather, but it is more likely than warming.
Chances of rain will also increase. For most of the summer, high pressure created a sinking motion in the atmosphere over South Texas, resulting in dry conditions. Now the stalled cold front will provide the upward movement in the atmosphere needed for rain to develop.
Scattered rain and storms are expected Wednesday afternoon and evening in San Antonio. Chances of rain will be 40 percent, so not everyone will see rain. Heavy rain will be possible in some pockets and isolated street flooding, but no major flooding is expected.
Daily rain chances continue
Similar rain is expected Thursday as the cold front continues to stall on the north side of San Antonio. Rain chances will likely approach 40 percent again with high temperatures remaining in the 90s.
The highest rain chances this week will come by Friday evening as the long-awaited cold front pushes all the way through San Antonio.
Axial weatherBy Friday, rain chances will increase dramatically because the cold front will finally extend through San Antonio and move toward the coast. Storms will develop along the front and move north to south late Friday afternoon into Friday night. Overall rain chances in San Antonio will increase to about 70 percent late Friday, and chances will continue into Saturday as well.
How much rain will we get?
Combined with Tropical Storm Harold’s landfall, this is one of the most active weather patterns South Texas has seen in months, and will provide much-needed rain to parts of the region. According to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, 1 to 1.25 inches of rain is expected in San Antonio over the next five days.
According to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, rainfall totals over the weekend are expected to reach nearly an inch in San Antonio. Some areas will see higher quantities, while other areas will see lower quantities.
Axial weatherSan Antonio has received only 14.24 inches of rain so far in 2023, which is 8.05 inches below average for this time of year. While the coming rains will not erase our rainfall deficit, it is a step in the right direction.
Naturally, some areas will see more rain and others will see less, depending on exactly where the cold front lines are. Rain totals are expected to rise north of the cold front. That’s why some areas in Central Texas could see 2 to 4 inches of rain.
As we move through the weekend, most weather models show drier weather expected through most of next week, with high temperatures remaining above average, in the mid-90s.
