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San Antonio on Thursday awoke to a landscape still dangerously frozen from a Tuesday cold front. Despite sunshine on Wednesday and the promise of more sunshine on Thursday, residents and drivers still faced long hours of very cold weather for the rest of the workweek.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast a high on Thursday of 41, with even colder wind chills. Thursday night will see a low near 29, with a chance of patchy drizzle or freezing rain on Friday. The high on Friday will be 38.
Saturday will see a high near 44 and a 50% chance of rain. Sunday will see a high in the 60s. Monday and Tuesday will see highs in the 70s, and the rest of the week will see pleasantly warm weather.
Sunnier skies return today, but with the Arctic air sticking around, it will still be chilly with highs only in the upper-30s to mid-40s. #txwx pic.twitter.com/AYOM8xp5VT
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) February 20, 2025
Power grid
The state's power grid operation saw high energy demand Wednesday amid the arctic cold front across the state. ERCOT reported average hourly demand hit 78,725 megawatts at around noon on Wednesday.
It predicted that demand on Thursday could hit has high as 82,000 megawatts. ERCOT issued a weather watch through Friday because of higher electrical demand and a potential for lower reserves.
Grid conditions were still expected to be normal.
Warming centers
Two organizations have opened emergency warming shelters.
Corazon San Antonio, an organization that shelters houseless San Antonians, will provide shelter and extended hours at Grace Lutheran Church located at 504 Avenue E.
Communities Under the Bridge will also provide emergency shelter through Friday.
Both organizations also need volunteers to help care for people sheltering at their facilities.
View a map of available shelters here.
VIA Metropolitan Transit said it would transport anyone to a warming center for free from through Saturday. Riders simply need to inform the operator when they board or the reservation agent when booking their trip that they are headed to the centers. More information here.
Also, in a statement, the city provided additional resources:
- For the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, visit weather.gov/ewx
- Sign up for emergency notifications at saoemprepare.com/Emergency-Notifications
- Download a Winter Preparedness Guide at saoemprepare.com
- For information on roadway conditions, visit DriveTexas™ or call 800-452-9292.
- For travel planning and other tips visit TxDOT Safety Guide for Winter Travel
- SAWS preparedness materials available at saws.org/beready
- CPS Energy preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
- Fire safety information is available at FireSafeSA.com
SAISD prepared
San Antonio ISD said it has prepared for the cold weather this week. The district experienced widespread heater failures that shut down schools last year.
Superintendent Jaime Aquino said in a letter to parents that all school principals have comprehensive mitigation plans to ensure schools can respond in the event of any HVAC issues.
This includes protocols to move students to an alternate location like a library of cafeteria.
SAISD also said bus routes will run additional heated buses to reduce the time students have to wait outside.
Driver safety
When cold weather strikes, AAA Texas always asks drivers to check and maintain their tires, which are critical to maintain traction on wet and slippery roads. That includes tire pressure, which is depleted by cold temperatures.
Andrew West with Tech One Automotive in Austin explained that temperature swings during the day can cause car batteries to wear out and could leave a driver stranded. Try to park in a garage. But if that's not possible, West recommended that drivers give themselves some extra time in the morning, just in case they need a jumpstart.
AAA Texas also advised drivers to never warm a vehicle in an enclosed area like a garage.
Drivers driving in wintery weather should reduce speed and leave plenty of room to stop. They should allow at least three times more space than usual between their car and the car in front.
In case of emergency, Texans can call the state’s roadside assistance number, located on the back of their driver's license.
Disability safety
The cold weather can be especially brutal for people with disabilities.
Experts advise them to create winter weather checklist to ensure they have enough warm clothes. They should wear multiple layers of clothes and keep blankets handy to wrap around the body. A jacket, hat, scarf, boots, and gloves or mittens will help people stay warm. People with low to no vision are encouraged to use gloves with thin materials to better navigate surfaces.
Power wheelchair users need to have an alternative power source and/or have a light-weight wheelchair in the event the power goes out. They should reach out to their utility company to inquire about becoming listed as a life-sustaining equipment customer. Power wheelchair users should make sure their chairs are charged and ready to use in rough terrain. Kitty litter can be used for traction.
People with disabilities should ensure that they have enough shelf-stable, non-refrigerated food items to last at least three days. Each person in the household should have at least one gallon of drinking water available for each day.
The checklist should also include a stockpile of seven days' worth of both prescription and over-the counter medication, along with a fully supplied first aid kit, and backup batteries for hearing aids, power wheelchairs, radios, and flashlights.
People who rely on service animals can protect their animals’ paws by avoiding salted surfaces and protecting paws with protective boots. If the animals are on medication, owners should ensure they have any necessary medications for at least a week. They should also ensure they have enough pet food for a week. Owners should also keep a shovel and salt or sand available to clear walkways for themselves and their pets.
Pet safety
San Antonio's Animal Care Services (ACS) wants to ensure that as people stay warm, they keep their pets warm too.
That starts with a proper shelter, which ACS defines to be three walls, a raised floor and a roof. Pets must always have access to food and water throughout the days and nights.
Tethering dogs with a chain is illegal under the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act. ACS officers will patrol for violations. Residents are advised to report animal negligence by dialing 311, the City’s customer service. To report violations online, visit saacs.info/311.
Heater safety
Some residents will use space heaters to stay warm. The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESF) recently reported that more than 65,000 house fires in the United States are due to heating equipment.
The ESF recommends residents inspect their heaters for any broken parts or loose plugs. Heaters must be placed at least three feet away from clothing, rugs, and anything that can burn.
Owners should plug heaters into a wall outlet, not an extension cord. Before leaving a room or going to sleep, turn off the heater.
The ESF also recommends checking smoke detectors.
Jackie Velez, Marian Navarro, The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey and KUT's Maya Fawaz contributed to this report.
