Heavy rains will flood San Antonio, but the Hill Country is bracing for icy conditions

San Antonio – Big time rainfall is just around the corner for San Antonio and much of our region. Thursday is on track to deliver a widespread soaking of much needed precipitation.

The large upper low is still well west of Texas and will add a dynamic lift to the atmosphere late Thursday into Thursday night for rain. Meanwhile, a surface low is now developing south of Brownsville and will strengthen throughout the day Thursday as it moves north along the Texas coast. This low will work with the upper low to pump some moisture into the state and our field of vision.

This coastal low will also pump enough “warm” air into our area to hold the bulk of what we see as cold rain. The Hill Country will likely see pockets of freezing temperatures for a period to allow for some ice accumulation of freezing rain and perhaps a touch of sleet. A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Hill Country through Val Verde County to account for this potential. Be careful on bridges and overpasses if you are in the guide, especially if your thermometer in the car is around 31 to 32 degrees.

Roads and bridges, elevated surfaces will just be wet in Bexar County and the rest of the area. In the morning, the coverage of rain will be scattered rather than widespread. The first batch of showers moving in may also briefly develop some sleet as the atmosphere cools in response to the first showers. However, this would only be temporary.

Through the afternoon into the evening, dynamics really strengthen over us to develop rain. Still moderate to occasionally heavy rain will spread over the area. The commute home will be nasty and very uncomfortable in the mid to upper 30s. Winds will be in the 20s at times with the wind.

The really good news in this forecast, the much needed precipitation we will see! A solid 1″ to 2″ of rain is likely with areas closer to the Rio Grande just under 1″ of rain.

All the rain will move out after midnight Friday and may end up with a few flakes or sleet in the Hill Country as cold air tries to catch up with the trailing edge of the rain shield. The rest of Friday is partly sunny to mostly cloudy and breezy, in the 40s. There will be no refreeze issues for the Friday morning commute.