San Antonio woke up to clear skies, a crisp chill in the air, and a serious fire-weather warning on Monday, March 16, 2026. Morning temperatures are in the mid-50s, relative humidity is already down in the teens, and strong north winds will keep cranking through the afternoon. The National Weather Service is calling for blustery conditions with a high near 59°F, so anything involving open flames or dry vegetation deserves extra caution today.
Afternoon Winds And Fire Danger
A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 8:00 PM CDT Monday, March 16, 2026, for South-Central Texas, with north winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching 40 to 45 mph. According to the NWS Austin/San Antonio, afternoon humidity will drop into the 10 to 20 percent range, the kind of ultra-dry setup that lets any spark turn into fast-moving fire. Outdoor burning should be avoided, and brush-clearing or other spark-producing work is best pushed to another day.
Tonight Into Tuesday
Once the sun goes down, the winds are expected to relax, but clear skies and lighter breezes will let temperatures fall quickly. Overnight lows should land near 38°F, with a light freeze possible Tuesday morning across the Hill Country and parts of the I-35 corridor and Coastal Plains. The cooldown does not last long, though: highs rebound to around 68°F on Tuesday, then jump into the 70s by Wednesday and keep climbing into the 80s and 90s by the end of the week.
What This Means For Your Plans
Skip debris burning and any nonessential open flames today. In conditions this dry and windy, even a tiny spark can be enough to start a wildfire. Tie down or move patio furniture that might go airborne, and use extra care on highways, where gusty crosswinds can challenge high-profile vehicles and briefly disrupt outdoor work or events, especially anything involving trees or lifts.
Legal Implications
Bexar County currently has a burn ban in effect for unincorporated areas, and outdoor burning is prohibited. Before you light anything outside, check the county rules and the official burn ban order through the Bexar County Fire Marshal.
