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Thunderstorms like this one from April 2024 are fairly common in Texas in the spring. Although overall rain chances this weekend will be relatively low in San Antonio, a few thunderstorms by Saturday evening could become strong to severe.<\/p>\n
LISA KRANTZ\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fiesta is heating up, literally and figuratively. Heat index values, or humidity-driven \u201cfeels like\u201d temperatures, are expected to reach the upper 90s this weekend as San Antonio\u00a0prepares for Fiesta Flambeau,<\/a> the most-attended parade of the 11-day festival.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re heading into downtown San Antonio Saturday night, the good news is that storm chances will be low, keeping much of the region dry. However, if storms do develop, they could be quite strong<\/a>, capable of producing heavy downpours, large hail and damaging winds. Here\u2019s what we know.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s forecast<\/p>\n Before any potential storms enter the picture, Saturday will be highlighted by very warm and humid weather. San Antonio will start the morning in the lower 70s under cloudy skies, with temperatures likely reaching 80 degrees between 11 a.m. and noon.<\/p>\n More sunshine is expected by the afternoon, allowing temps to rise to around 90 degrees<\/a> by the mid- to late afternoon. Humidity levels will be extremely high, which will send heat index values into the upper 90s. If you have outdoor plans\u00a0\u2014 such as going to the King William Fair<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 be sure to stay properly hydrated.<\/p>\n Shown are the potential heat index values, or humidity-driven “feels like” temperatures, across the state at 5 p.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n Pivotal Weather<\/p>\n Because of high levels of atmospheric moisture, temperatures will be slow to fall during the evening. Expect temperatures to remain in the mid-80s by the time the Fiesta Flambeau parade gets going at 7:45 p.m. Heat index values will likely still be in the low 90s.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Thunderstorm chances<\/p>\n Although plenty of moisture will be in place just before the parade gets underway, it\u2019s highly questionable whether storms will even be able to form. Currently, an atmospheric \u201ccap\u201d is in place across South Texas. The cap is a layer of warm air in the low levels of the atmosphere that inhibits thunderstorm formation.<\/p>\n If temperatures near the ground are able to heat up enough, the cap could break, and thunderstorms would then be able to develop and intensify very quickly. If the cap holds, then storms could fail to develop altogether.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Overall rain chances for the parade route is only about 20%. But even though the overall risk is low, if a storm does hit the region, it could be very strong.<\/p>\n Storm chances Saturday evening will be low in San Antonio (20%), but any storm that develops could be strong to severe.<\/p>\n Pivotal Weather<\/p>\n The National Weather Service\u2019s Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of the region under only a level 1 of 5 risk of severe storms. The low-end risk is indicative of how isolated the storms are expected to be, but any storms that do develop\u00a0could produce large hail<\/a> and damaging wind gusts.<\/p>\n The first storms could develop by 5 to 7 p.m., mainly west of San Antonio, from the Hill Country to the Rio Grande. These storms would then track eastward, potentially affecting the San Antonio metro area during the parade, between 7 and 10\u00a0p.m.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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