The San Antonio area ended its last week of July with a minor respite of rain from the north.
Around 9:45 p.m., the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio tracked a line of strong storms moving southwest of San Antonio. It reported two inches of rain had already fallen in some parts of the region, and it warned one or two more inches could fall in the coming hours.
The weather service warned throughout Friday evening that the storms could bring nickel size hail, frequent lightning, torrential rain, flooding and wind gusts up to 40 mph, especially in the advisory area.
A flood advisory unti 11:30 p.m. was issued for eastern Dimmit County, southeastern Zavala County, Frio County and southwestern Atascosa County. "Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall," forecasters warned, "will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying spots."
It listed the following communities as directly impacted by these severe storms: Pearsall, Crystal City, Jourdanton, Dilley, Charlotte, Big Wells, Christine, Batesville, Asherton, North Pearsall, Goldfinch, Chula Vista-River Spur, Hilltop, Brundage, Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, Light, Loma Vista, Gilson Groves, Las Vegas and Schattel.
Earlier in the evening, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Comal and Hays counties.
In San Antonio, the bright sunniness of late afternoon faded as the shadow of low dark storm clouds spread across the city.
"Storms will continue to be scattered tonight into Saturday," the weather service tweeted. "Rain chances drop, but do continue for the end of the weekend into next week until high pressure returns and the area dries out."
7:54p 7/31/2020 - Strong thunderstorms still ongoing west of San Antonio. These storms could produce small hail, 40-50 mph wind gusts, and abundant lightning. pic.twitter.com/ZaQBuTdMep
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) August 1, 2020
The rain, however, is likely not going to affect the current drought conditions that have brought the region under Stage 1 water restrictions and to the brink of even more stringent Stage 2 restrictions.
Highs for the coming week will be in the high 90s or 100s, with little or no rain in the forecast.
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