05.29.2024

Today’s Forecast

Hot weather beware

Research institute unveils new tool to combat San Antonio’s urban heat island effect

This map of San Antonio illustrates the distribution of urban heat islands (red) near downtown. | Courtesy of SwRI

We know all too well the Alamo City heat can be scorching, dreadful, and down right miserable.

Enter a new collaboration between the city, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), and UTSA. They’ve created a new data tool aiming to minimize the impact of urban heat island areas.

What’s an urban heat island?

Urban heat islands occur when higher temperatures in areas with more physical infrastructure — think asphalt, steel, and concrete — absorb heat during the day and release it back at night, leading to higher average temperatures.

Data-driven solutions

SwRI created a data tool that combines more than 230 data sets across various city departments + databases, allowing local leaders to analyze multiple scenarios at once.

Simple solutions like planting trees are the most effective way to combat the urban heat island effect. Another example is using the new tool to look at which bus stops have overlap with high temperatures.

Speaking from personal experience, the Alamo Ranch Shopping Center could use more trees. Being stuck in that hot Culebra traffic is a nightmare.

Even though the data tool is used to target the urban heat island effect, it can be applied to different aspects of our city as well. City leaders can use it to identify more sustainability-related issues as they work towards its SA Climate Ready initiative.

Stay cool in the meantime

While the city works on this new tool, don’t forget about the immediate access to San Antonio’s cooling centers and learn about the city’s active cool pavement plan.

Events

Wednesday, May 29

Pearl Rotary May Social | Wednesday, May 29 | 5-7 p.m. | Freight Fried Chicken, 312 Pearl Pkwy. Bldg. #6, San Antonio | $13 | Engage with the Pearl Rotary Club and learn about its community initiatives and how you can join.
Date Night | Wednesday, May 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Alamo Beer Company, 202 Lamar St., San Antonio | $71 | Cozy up with your partner for a night of delicious food + drinks as well as special surprises.
Photoshop: 5 Tools to know | Wednesday, May 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Digital Pro Lab, 10103 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio | $30 | Tap into your creative side and learn new tools + techniques of this photo editing software that will level up your social posts.

Thursday, May 30

Networking Mixer | Thursday, May 30 | 6-8 p.m. | La Ruina, 410 Austin St., San Antonio | Free | Grow your San Antonio network by meeting new professionals and cultivating professional relationships.
Tie Dye Party | Thursday, May 30 | 6-8 p.m. | Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St., San Antonio | Free | Get the art juices flowing as you create a tie dyed bandana while listening to music and enjoying snacks.
The Queers | Thursday, May 30 | 7 p.m. | Vibes Underground, 1211 E. Houston St., San Antonio | $25-$30 | Catch a musical performance by this group with special guest Noogy.

1,000+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Biz

Amegy Bank is moving its Central Texas HQ to downtown at 300 Convent St. The new digs will have a banking center for customers at the ground floor and will span over 40,000 sqft. The new campus is slated to open in early 2025. (SA Express News)

Open

Roca & Martillo at the Rock at La Cantera is now open. It’s serving up dishes with Tuscan influences like the smoked brisket lasagna. Make a trip during its hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday + 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sports

Toyota Field will host the inaugural Summer Cup 2024. The event is a collaboration between the National Women’s Soccer League and the Liga BBVA MX Femenil. Date, time, and presale ticket options have yet to be announced. Stay up to date by signing up for the SAFC Fan Club newsletter.

Drink

Press Coffee is selling its cold brew in 32-ounce growlers. Pick one up at its Castle Hills location for $25. Pro tip: Practice sustainability and bring the jug back (cleaned) for a refill to save $5.

Wellness

The San Antonio Zoo is hosting Zen Zoo Yoga on upcoming select Saturdays. Enjoy a 50-minute flow in the air conditioned indoor Hippo Overlook by stretching to animal-style poses. Zoo members get in free and non-members are required to purchase a day ticket to attend. Reserve your spot in advance.

Ranked

Landing at No. 12 on Southern Living’s “15 Friendliest Cities in the South” list is San Antonio. The Alamo City is recognized for Fiesta, tourist attractions, shops, diverse cultures, and its southern hospitality. Y’all are going to make us blush.

Listen

Take a deep dive into the NBA Draft prospect spotlight with a focus in Stephon Castle. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Shop

Cozy Earth’s best-selling bamboo viscose sheets — featured on Oprah’s 2018 Favorite Things list — are temperature-regulating and keep you cool on even the hottest summer nights.*

San Antonians

Who’s who?

Picture showing the SATXtoday Instagram on a brown table.

Have you added SATXtoday to your follow list on Instagram? If not, this is your sign to do so. | Photo by SATXtoday

You all follow us, so you must be cool, and we want to know which other San Antonians you follow online.

Think...

Photographers
While we like to take pics around San Antonio, we want to highlight locals with a true talent for capturing the city’s essence.

Fashion
San Antonio is full of fun thrift shops and trendy boutiques, and we’re always looking for style tips.

Artists
Digital or physical — the Alamo City is full of creative geniuses. Who are your favorite 210 painters, sculptors, and/or digital artists currently on the scene?

Small businesses
Shopping local makes retail therapy sessions feel even better. Which small businesses do you think deserve a spotlight?

Musicians
Our playlists needs some local love before summer kicks off, and who better to listen to than some fellow San Antonians?

Psst. Before you let us know who to follow, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Who we're following

Who (in San Antonio) should we be following online?

Share your recommendation

The Buy

Handcrafted candles. Transport yourself to the breathtaking landscapes and scents of your favorite National Parks with scents from The Roosevelts Candle Co.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicholas

From the editor

I recently visited Ruby Road Gems in the Pearl and picked up a Marvel-inspired Thanos gauntlet made of pretty stones. Shout out to Trinity for being so kind and answering all my questions about gemology. This place is a hidden gem, pun intended.

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Research institute unveils new tool to combat San Antonio’s urban heat island effect

What’s an urban heat island?

Data-driven solutions

Stay cool in the meantime

Which San Antonio social media accounts are you following?