San Antonio woke up early Tuesday to clear, muggy air, with temperatures sitting around 78°F and a sticky dewpoint near 72°F. It is shaping up to be a hot and breezy day, with a high near 92°F on tap and heat index values expected to push to about 101°F this afternoon. Southeast winds should run around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. The bigger story for many, though, is a line of showers and thunderstorms expected Tuesday evening into the overnight hours that could bring gusty winds, heavy downpours and isolated hail.
What The Forecast Says
Spotty rain showers could pop up in the morning, and there is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms around midday into the early afternoon. The more organized line of storms is forecast to move through tonight. Overnight, the chance of showers and thunderstorms jumps to roughly 80 percent, with most spots picking up between one half and three quarters of an inch of rain and a few training storms capable of dropping 3 to 5 inches. The main severe threats are isolated damaging wind gusts and brief hail, and localized flash flooding is possible, according to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.
Timing And Local Impacts
Hourly guidance points to the best window for organized storms arriving late Tuesday evening into the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, which puts evening events and the late commute most at risk. Bursts of heavy rain can quickly cut visibility and cause rapid ponding on low-lying streets, so drivers should avoid trying to cross flooded roadways. This piece updates yesterday's preview of the warm, gusty pattern and follows our warm, gusty pattern preview of the setup.
Safety Tips
If storms line up with your plans tonight, move outdoor activities inside and make sure you have a reliable way to receive weather alerts after dark. Tie down or bring in loose patio furniture and tents before the afternoon breeze ramps up, and steer clear of low-lying routes that tend to collect water - never drive through standing water. Keep pets and children indoors during heavy downpours, and keep an eye on local media or official channels for any changing watches or warnings.
Conditions will be monitored through the evening; check the National Weather Service and local emergency channels before heading out tonight.
