Hail and Lightning Storms Depart San Antonio
As spring arrived in the San Antonio region, a cold front brought with it a burst of severe weather that hit the area on Friday night. The storm featured large hailstones, some as big as golf balls and apples, thunder, lightning, and heavy rainfall. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for select areas, including DeWitt, Gonzales, Karnes and Lavaca Counties until 9 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was also in effect for several counties including Bexar until 9 p.m. This thunderstorm watch raised the danger level for anyone attending the Fiesta Events that night.
As the storm battered the San Antonio region, it resulted in multiple power outages across the city, with most of the power outages located on the west and northwest side. As of 9 p.m., approximately 450 CPS Energy customers were without electricity, which was an improvement from the earlier outage count of 12,500. Residents affected by the outage are encouraged to quickly report electric emergencies or downed lines by calling (210) 353-4357.
KENS 5 viewers and reporters took the opportunity to share footage and images of the hailstones as they rained down in their respective areas of the city. The storm did not spare the River Walk as well, which saw significant amounts of small hail as the storm passed through the region.
While the storm subsided, the weather forecast for the San Antonio region over the next few days remained uncertain. The severe weather threat is predicted to remain until 9 p.m on Friday with a chance of breezy conditions with sustained winds of 20-25 mph and wind gusts of 50 mph developing overnight Friday through Saturday morning.
Moreover, the forecast remained uncertain for Fiesta, which was slated to continue through the weekend. Rain activity could diminish on Saturday evening just in time for the Fiesta night parade, which is expected to be accompanied by mid-70 temperatures that should drop to 50s overnight. No rain activity was forecasted on Sunday, the last day of the event, which is expected to remain considerably warm.
It’s important to understand the potential risks of severe weather and what you should do to stay safe when severe weather threatens your area. The National Weather Service often issues severe weather warnings and watches that are county-based or include cities. Residents of the area are encouraged to identify their location on a map to identify potential risks to themselves and understand the difference between a watch and a warning.
The storm could be labeled severe if it contains one or multiple severe weather risks such as one-inch large hailstones, 58 mph or greater winds, or tornadoes. A severe weather warning should prompt individuals to head to the lowest, interior room of their home, preferably a basement, to avoid exterior walls or walls leading to the outside of the home while avoiding glass. Although lightning frequently accompanies storms, it is not considered severe weather. Finally, flooding is considered a dangerous, albeit not classified as severe, weather threat. South Texas has experienced significant flood events in the past, and it is important to stay away from floodwaters and understand the risks involved.
To be prepared for such events, individuals and families should have a severe weather action plan and a designated spot in their home where everyone gathers in case of an emergency. Supplies such as food, medication, batteries, and flashlights should be kept in that designated spot so that individuals are well-prepared should an incident occur.
