San Antonio residents should prepare for dangerous heat Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures climb into the low 100s and humidity pushes heat index values — or what the temperature feels like to the human body — as high as 112 degrees.
The high temperatures have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Heat Advisory from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday for area along the Interstate 35 corridor and east, including all of Bexar County.
Forecasters expect highs between 100 and 104 degrees Wednesday, with humidity pushing “feels like” temperatures well into the triple digits. The hot, humid pattern is expected to continue Thursday before temperatures settle into the upper 90s through early next week.
The return of triple-digit heat comes as South Central Texas shifts back into a more typical late-summer weather pattern after weeks of frequent rain and milder temperatures.
“We are seeing a more typical summertime pattern set up over much of Texas,” said Bianca Garcia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Austin/San Antonio office. “We’re expecting to see some triple digits here, especially across portions of the Texas Hill Country and then areas along and east of the I-35 corridor.”
Garcia said while temperatures are seasonable for late July — typically the hottest part of the year in South Central Texas — humidity will make conditions feel significantly hotter and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
That combination of heat and humidity is reflected in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HeatRisk forecast, which estimates the potential health impacts of hot weather based on factors including temperature, humidity and how unusual the heat is for a particular location. The forecast calls for moderate heat risk across Bexar County on Wednesday before climbing to a major risk Thursday, when health officials say anyone without adequate cooling or hydration could be affected, especially vulnerable groups. The moderate risk is expected to continue through at least Monday.
Garcia said the hot pattern is also being reinforced by Tropical Storm Bertha, which is forecast to move toward the Upper Texas Coast later this week.
Because South Central Texas will remain on the storm’s western side, Garcia said the region is expected to stay on the hotter, drier side of the system rather than receive widespread rainfall.
“When we are on the western side of any sort of tropical system, we do remain on the dry, rain-free, and hot side,” Garcia said. “That’s another factor that’s playing into it, and we may continue to see those high above-normal temperatures into the late weekend and early next week.”
Garcia said there is still a chance the storm could provide some limited relief if isolated showers develop over South Central Texas later this week.
“A limiting factor, however, would be if we do see some isolated showers develop as the system approaches the Upper Texas Coast,” she said. “We may see some relief on the heat if we do get any showers that develop.”
Heat mitigation resources
With several days of dangerous heat expected, city and weather officials are urging residents to take precautions to reduce the risk of heat-related illness, particularly during the afternoon when temperatures and humidity are expected to peak.
The National Weather Service recommends staying hydrated, taking frequent breaks in the shade and limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day. Garcia said anyone who needs to work or exercise outdoors should try to do so before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when temperatures are generally lower.
The City of San Antonio is encouraging residents to spend time in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible and has compiled an online hot weather resource page with heat safety information and other community resources.
Residents needing relief from the heat can use the city’s interactive “Places to Stay Cool” map to find nearby libraries, senior centers and community centers that are open during normal business hours.
City officials also recommend:
- Drinking water throughout the day, even before feeling thirsty.
- Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Checking on older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions and neighbors without air conditioning.
- Learning the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and calling 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heatstroke.
Officials also reminded residents never to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. Pet owners should ensure animals have access to fresh water, shade and shelter, avoid walking dogs on hot pavement and watch for signs of heat stress.
Residents concerned about an unsheltered person who may need assistance during the heat can contact the City’s Community Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799.
More information about heat safety, cooling locations and available city resources is available at the SA.gov/HotWeather.
