San Antonio rolled out of bed to a warm, sticky start Wednesday, with clear skies, muggy air and temperatures hovering around 77°F. By afternoon, things are expected to go from uncomfortable to downright punishing, as readings climb into the low 100s and heat-index values push up to 114 during peak heating. With high humidity and not much breeze, officials say spending too long outside this afternoon could be a bad idea.
Heat Advisory Kicks In
A Heat Advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, with forecast highs near 101°F and heat-index values up to 114. According to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio, the advisory covers parts of south-central Texas, focusing mainly on areas along and east of I-35. Lighter winds mean less afternoon mixing, which will let the heat stack up through the early evening instead of dispersing.
Who Is Most At Risk
Outdoor workers, older adults, infants and anyone without solid access to air conditioning should stay out of the sun as much as possible, especially from about 2 to 7 p.m. when the heat will peak. The City of San Antonio Metro Health department suggests cooling off at libraries, community centers and pools and keeps a running list of cooling shelters across town.
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea or confusion. Get anyone showing these symptoms into a cooler place, offer sips of water if they are able to drink and call 911 if symptoms worsen instead of improving.
Looking Ahead
Thursday will not bring much relief, with highs still near 100°F and only a slight chance of showers in the immediate San Antonio area. Coastal counties, however, may see better rain chances as Tropical Storm Bertha tracks through the Gulf. Temperatures dip a bit Friday into the weekend, easing to the mid- to upper-90s before creeping back toward the upper-90s early next week.
If you have outdoor plans over the next several days, keep an eye on updated local forecasts. Any shift in Bertha's track could tweak both rain chances and humidity, which will decide whether San Antonio gets a small break or yet another round in the heat oven.
