San Antonio woke up under waterlogged skies Friday, May 1, as heavy rain, dense fog and stiff winds turned the morning drive into a slog. Temperatures are hovering near 65°F, visibility has dropped to around 2 miles, and the soaking is expected to drag on through the afternoon and into tonight.
Afternoon Flood Risk and Rain Totals
A Flood Watch from the National Weather Service remains in effect through 9 p.m. CDT Friday, with forecasters calling for another 2 to 3 inches of rain in many spots and isolated bull’s-eyes that could push some areas to 4 to 6 inches. Flash Flood Warnings and Flood Advisories are already popping up across parts of Bexar County and neighboring areas, and officials caution that urban streets, creeks and low-water crossings can go from wet to dangerous in a hurry, according to NWS Austin/San Antonio.
Winds, Visibility and the Commute
Northeast winds are expected to run 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, which can shove sheets of rain across highways and cut sight lines on bridges and exposed stretches of road. Dense fog and pockets of heavy downpour are already chewing away at visibility in parts of the city, and scattered road closures have been reported. Residents can find current safety information along with maps for closures and shelters on the city’s flood page at the City of San Antonio.
What Comes Next
The good news: the deluge is expected to ease overnight, with a much drier, sunnier setup on deck for Saturday, May 2, and highs near 73°F. From there, a warming trend takes over next week, with afternoon temperatures forecast to climb into the 80s by Monday and flirt with 90°F by Tuesday.
How To Stay Safe
Drivers are urged not to plow through standing or moving water. Turn around, don’t drown, and steer clear of low-water crossings and any closed streets. Keep your phone charged, stay tuned to local alerts and check the National Weather Service forecast page for any additional flash flood warnings that may roll out through the day.
