How to read the San Antonio weather data
Everything above comes directly from the National Weather Service (NWS). Current conditions are the latest observation from the automated station at San Antonio International Airport (KSAT) on the north side of the city. The forecast and any watches, warnings, or advisories are issued by the NWS Austin/San Antonio office in New Braunfels, which covers San Antonio, Bexar County, and the surrounding Hill Country and I-35 corridor.
The page refreshes on a schedule rather than second by second. Current conditions update roughly every 10 minutes and the forecast roughly every 30 minutes, with alerts checked more often. A few things to keep in mind:
- Observations are a single point. The airport reading may not match your street, especially during a thunderstorm. Hail and damaging wind can hit Leon Valley and miss Alamo Heights, or the reverse.
- Times are local. Observation and alert times are shown in Central Time.
- Alerts are official. If an alert appears, read the full text. It explains the hazard, the affected area, and when it expires. Flash flood warnings deserve special attention here: San Antonio sits along the Balcones Escarpment in what is often called "Flash Flood Alley."
Storm preparation for San Antonio properties
Bexar County sees most of its hail in spring, damaging thunderstorm winds from spring into summer, flash flooding in nearly every season, and occasional ice storms and hard freezes in winter. A little preparation before each season can reduce damage and make any later insurance claim easier to document.
Before hail and wind season
In the NOAA record for Bexar County, April and May account for more than 60% of all hail reports, and March is next. Thunderstorm wind reports peak in May. Before spring:
- Take dated photos and video of your roof, siding, windows, fences, skylights, and HVAC units in their current condition. "Before" photos help separate new storm damage from older wear.
- Trim dead branches that overhang the roof and secure loose items such as patio furniture and trash bins. Large live oaks are common in older neighborhoods, and NOAA records include San Antonio-area reports of trees blown onto homes during severe thunderstorm winds.
- Review your declarations page so you know your wind/hail deductible, which on many Texas policies is a percentage of the dwelling limit.
Before heavy rain and flash flooding
- Follow NWS and local emergency management instructions first, and never drive into a flooded low water crossing.
- Clear gutters, downspouts, and drains, and know where water collects on your property.
- Store copies of your policy, contact numbers, and a home inventory somewhere you can reach from a phone.
- Remember that standard homeowners and commercial policies generally exclude flood. Flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy, and NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period (floodsmart.gov).
Before a freeze or ice storm
Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 brought wind chills of 5 to 10 degrees below zero to Bexar County and left many homes with burst pipes, and ice storms followed in February 2022, January 2025, and January 2026. When a hard freeze is forecast, insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets, protect backflow preventers, let faucets drip, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, and know where your main water shutoff is. SAWS customers can find freeze-preparation guidance at saws.org.
What to do after a storm
- Stay safe. Avoid downed power lines, floodwater, and damaged structures. Report outages and downed lines to CPS Energy. Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof.
- Take photos and video. Document damage from several angles before cleanup, including close-ups and wide shots. Photograph hail stones next to a coin or ruler if you can do so safely.
- Prevent further damage. Most policies expect reasonable steps to protect the property, such as tarping a roof or extracting water. Keep receipts for materials and mitigation services.
- Notify your insurer promptly. Report the loss, write down the claim number, and keep a log of every call and email.
- Save the weather record. Note the date and time of the storm and save any alerts you received. Then check the recent weather events page for preliminary NWS storm reports and use the storm lookup tool to find reports near your city or ZIP code.
Our claim documentation checklist walks through what to gather for hail, wind, water, fire, roof, and commercial losses, and our storm damage claims page explains how a public adjuster can help.
Looking back: San Antonio storm history
Live weather tells you what is happening now. For past events, the San Antonio and Bexar County storm history page lets you search the NOAA Storm Events Database by date, event type, hail size, and wind speed. Official records like these can support a claim, but they never prove that a particular building was damaged. A physical inspection is still needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the San Antonio weather data on this page come from?
All data comes from the National Weather Service through its public API at weather.gov. Current conditions are the latest observation from the station at San Antonio International Airport (KSAT). The forecast and alerts are issued by the NWS Austin/San Antonio office, located in New Braunfels, which serves Bexar County and much of South Central Texas.
Why might this page differ from my phone's weather app?
Many weather apps use their own models, blend several data sources, or report from a different station or neighborhood sensor. This page shows the official NWS observation at the airport and the official NWS forecast. Conditions can also vary a lot across short distances during thunderstorms, and each source updates on its own schedule.
What is the difference between a watch and a warning?
The National Weather Service issues a watch when conditions are favorable for hazardous weather to develop, so you should be prepared. It issues a warning when hazardous weather is occurring, imminent, or likely, so you should take action to protect yourself now.
Does a severe weather warning mean my insurance claim will be covered?
No. A warning, watch, or storm report shows what weather was expected or observed in an area. Coverage depends on your policy terms, exclusions, and deductibles, and on evidence of actual damage to your property. Weather records are useful supporting documentation, but they do not decide a claim.
How often does this page update?
Current conditions refresh about every 10 minutes and the forecast about every 30 minutes, with alerts checked more frequently. If the NWS service is temporarily unavailable, the page shows the most recent data it received.