San Antonio, Texas – Residents across south-central Texas face a volatile weather setup today as near-record heat approaching 98° combines with powerful winds and extremely dry air, creating critical fire conditions across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon today through 8 p.m. Monday for all of south-central Texas. Humidity levels could fall to around 10 percent, while west winds increase to 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph this afternoon.
Cities including San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels, and Kerrville could see afternoon highs surge into the mid to upper 90s, placing several climate sites at risk of setting record temperatures.
Conditions worsen this evening as a strong cold front sweeps south across the Hill Country. Winds will shift to the north and strengthen to 20 to 35 mph with gusts between 45 and 55 mph, making any fire start extremely difficult to control.
A Wind Advisory runs from 3 p.m. today through 5 a.m. Monday, with strong gusts capable of downing tree limbs and creating hazardous driving conditions for high-profile vehicles along Interstates 35, 10, and 37.
Officials urge residents to avoid open flames, properly dispose of cigarettes, and keep vehicles off dry grass. The combination of strong winds and very low humidity could allow fires to spread rapidly across the Hill Country and surrounding areas through Monday evening.
