San Antonio residents are in for a rollercoaster of a weather week, as the city faces a mix of relentless heat and long-awaited rain. The National Weather Service and several local meteorologists are sounding the alarm: temperatures will soar near 100°F for much of the week, but a shifting weather pattern finally brings a series of rain chances that could offer some relief to the parched city.
On August 18, 2025, the city woke up to mostly clear skies and a pleasant morning low around 76°F, but that comfort didn’t last long. By 11 a.m., the mercury had already climbed to 90°F, and by late afternoon, temperatures hovered near 100°F with heat index values reaching as high as 105°F, according to the National Weather Service. Local outlets, including Hoodline, reported that a mild east-southeast wind around 5 mph offered little respite from the oppressive conditions.
But the real story isn’t just the heat—it’s the city’s ongoing struggle with drought. Since July 15, San Antonio has recorded a meager 0.11 inch of rainfall, dramatically below the 1.87 inches that’s typical for this time of year, as noted by the San Antonio Express-News. While the city’s annual rainfall total stands at 20.31 inches—about 0.91 inch above the average through August 17—officials warn that the drought persists. The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies much of Bexar County as being under severe to extreme drought. The reason? Drought calculations account for rainfall over several years, not just the current one. Since the start of 2022, San Antonio is more than 41 inches below average, registering the largest rainfall deficit of any major Texas city.
On Monday afternoon, the skies threatened to break the dry spell. Between 4 and 8 p.m., scattered thunderstorms developed, but only about 20% of the region saw any rain, and the storms were mainly east of I-35. The majority of San Antonians remained dry, with the storms bringing brief downpours and frequent lightning—but not enough precipitation to raise flooding concerns, according to the San Antonio Express-News and local broadcast forecasts.
“Anything that pops up today will be few and far between,” noted a local meteorologist, emphasizing that the 20% chance of rain left most areas parched. Heat and humidity continued to be the main story, with heat indices peaking around 104°F across the city.
By Monday night, skies cleared again and temperatures dropped to a low near 77°F, with calm east winds offering little further relief. But hope was on the horizon. On Tuesday, August 19, rain chances increase to about 40% in the afternoon, with the best window for showers between 3 and 7 p.m. Highs are expected to reach 99°F, and the night brings a 30% chance of additional showers with lows near 77°F, according to the National Weather Service.
The trend continues into Wednesday, August 20, when rain coverage is expected to fall slightly to around 30%. Highs will remain in the upper 90s, and the chance of storms remains, particularly after 4 p.m. The evening will bring partly cloudy skies and calming east winds, with lows around 77°F.
Thursday, August 21, is shaping up to be the wettest day of the week. Rain chances spike to 70% for showers and possible thunderstorms after 1 p.m., as a weak cold front and low pressure system move into the region, according to the National Weather Service and local forecasts. Highs are expected to dip to about 94°F—a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week. The rain risk continues into the evening, with a 50% chance of more storms and a light northeast breeze at night, and lows settling near 75°F.
“Thursday presents our best chance for rain,” one meteorologist explained, echoing the optimism among weather watchers. The National Blend of Models projects that San Antonio could receive between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain throughout the week, with isolated spots potentially seeing 2 to 4 inches. While these downpours could cause localized flooding, the overall risk remains low due to the dry ground.
By Friday, August 22, the main axis of precipitation is expected to shift south toward the Texas coast, reducing rain chances slightly to 30-40%. Highs will settle around 93-94°F, and the city will see mostly sunny skies. According to Hoodline, there’s still a 60% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms after 1 p.m., so residents should keep their umbrellas handy.
The weekend brings a gradual tapering of rain chances. On Saturday, August 23, there’s a 40% chance of scattered showers during the day and a 20% chance at night, with highs near 93°F. Sunday, August 24, follows a similar pattern—just a 20% chance of rain, mostly sunny skies, and highs again around 93°F.
Despite the upcoming rain, meteorologists caution that it won’t be enough to erase years of drought. “This week’s rainfall totals are not expected to be huge,” reported the San Antonio Express-News. Still, even a modest amount of precipitation is a welcome change for a city that’s been thirsting for relief. The National Weather Service expects that most residents will see at least some rain, though the majority of showers will be brief and scattered.
San Antonio’s weather this week is a study in contrasts: searing heat, high humidity, and the tantalizing promise of rain. For many, the forecast offers a glimmer of hope that the city’s relentless dry streak might finally ease, if only a little. As the week unfolds, residents are advised to stay hydrated, keep a close eye on the skies, and be ready for sudden changes—because in South Texas, weather can turn on a dime.
With the city’s annual rainfall still slightly above average but the long-term deficit continuing to cast a shadow, every drop counts. Whether these scattered storms mark the beginning of a wetter stretch or just a brief interruption in the drought remains to be seen. For now, San Antonio can only wait, watch, and hope for rain.
