Support Us Button Widget

Winter weather preparedness guide for San Antonio

Your local guide on how to prepare for winter weather events

SATXtoday: Winter Weather San Antonio HEB

San Antonio winter weather event in 2021.

Photo by H-E-B- Newsroom

Winter in the Alamo City typically lasts from December through February. Even though our winters are usually mild, our city does experience extreme cold, freezing rain, ice, and the occasional snow.

The City of San Antonio has complied a winter weather preparedness guide to help residents gear up for the seasonal weather events. With our first freeze around the corner, we want to ease some of the stress of prepping for this frosty occasion. Get cozy as we break down + provide you with easy-to-access information.

Before

Winter weather can cause power + water outages, and make traveling around San Antonio and its surrounding areas difficult. Before the storm comes, here are a few tips on how to prepare:

  • Create a family communications plan
  • Build an emergency kit
  • Rock salt and snow removal equipment
  • Move animals inside
  • Wrap pipes running outside or under your house in pipe insulation or rags
  • Have extra blankets for warmth
  • Sufficient heating fuel and seasoned wood (for those with a fireplace)

You can listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local television newscasts to get the latest information and instructions by local emergency management officials.

During

While the extreme cold is passing through, stay inside in a heated room to stay warm.

  • Dress in layers and use blankets to stay warm
  • Stay dry to avoid loss of body heat
  • Walk carefully on snowy + icy walkways
  • Cover or bring in plants inside to avoid frost damage

Pro tip: The City of San Antonio advises residents to not heat dwellings with a cook top or oven, charcoal grill, or gasoline + propane heaters indoors. These items can cause electric shock, and/or carbon monoxide poisoning.

After

As the weather passes, there might be icy road conditions so only drive if necessary — don’t forget to check for road closures. If you are heading outside, make sure to dress in warm clothing, and stay dry to prevent prolonged exposure to cold and wind.

In the event your home is damaged, no longer safe, or has lost power, public shelters and warming centers are available. You can find them by calling 311 or text SHELTER + your ZIP code (Ex: SHELTER 78230) to 43362 (FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area.

For more information about how to navigate before, during, and after a winter storm, check out these resources:

More from SATXtoday
Check out this list of local spots to host your special event.
Happening Saturday, Dec. 7, all profit made that day goes back to its workers.
Jingle all the way to one of these festive spots
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around San Antonio?
Learn how to dispose of old pumpkins and leaves ahead of the holidays.
Find out why North Texas is set to become the next financial hub in the US.
San Antonio is made up of so many wonderful small businesses, here are a few our readers love in honor of Small Business Saturday.
Brilliant master plan or downtown disaster? Our readers let us know how they’re feeling about the Silver and Black potentially returning to Hemisfair.
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
A proposed timeline states construction would start in 2026 and go through late 2035 for total project completion.