textproduct: Austin/San Antonio

KEY MESSAGES

- Widespread hard freeze expected this morning with lows in the 20s.

- Rain chances return to most areas Wednesday, with the higher rainfall amounts still expected over the coastal plains region.

SHORT TERM

(Today through Monday) Issued at 1200 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

Temperatures have already fallen rapidly this evening as clear skies, dewpoints in the teens, and light winds result in strong radiational cooling. A hard freeze is expected for all locations, so proper precautions should be taken, like dripping faucets and covering outdoor spigots. A Freeze Warning is in effect for the remaining counties that haven't had a freeze yet this season: Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, Atascosa, Frio, Zavala, Dimmit, and Maverick from 2am to 9am Sunday. This will be the last freeze warning of the season.

Sunday should be a bit warmer than Saturday as winds rapidly swing back around out of the southwest behind a departing surface high. Elevated fire weather conditions are possible, but winds should remain light enough to limit any significant concerns. Yet another freeze is expected Sunday night, but it shouldn't be quite as cold as tonight. Monday will feature the return of some high clouds by the afternoon hours along with high temperatures in the lower to middle 60s. Thought of an RFD was weighed, but ultimately, winds should remain light enough to avoid

LONG TERM

(Monday night through Saturday) Issued at 1200 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

The long term pattern looks relatively benign with the exception of a storm system that may bring us some showers and light rain along and east of I-35 Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Before that, expect increasing clouds and low level moisture ahead of the storm system moving in on Tuesday. Tuesday/Wednesday will be the most active days of the week as a southern stream disturbance moves out of northern Mexico and into south Texas. Showers and perhaps a rumble of thunder will be possibly Tuesday night. A steady warmup with dry weather is anticipated Thursday-Saturday, but temperatures warming into the upper 70s to lower 80s.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1200 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the period under clear skies. Light and variable wind persists into this morning becoming south to southwesterly for the majority of the area in the afternoon up to 10 knots. Locations along the Rio Grande, including KDRT, will be more south to southeasterly in direction for Sunday afternoon and evening.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1200 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

Consideration was given to an RFD this afternoon for the Hill Country and Edwards Plateau, but ultimately, feel the winds are not quite strong enough though very low humidity remains over the region. Humidity increases slightly for Monday with chances for wetting rains returning Tuesday night and Wednesday, followed by a return to warmer than normal and drier than normal weather.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Austin Camp Mabry 63 35 64 37 / 0 0 0 0 Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport 62 32 64 37 / 0 0 0 0 New Braunfels Muni Airport 61 32 65 38 / 0 0 0 0 Burnet Muni Airport 61 32 60 33 / 0 0 0 0 Del Rio Intl Airport 61 34 67 45 / 0 0 0 0 Georgetown Muni Airport 62 32 62 37 / 0 0 0 0 Hondo Muni Airport 60 29 66 42 / 0 0 0 0 San Marcos Muni Airport 62 32 66 38 / 0 0 0 0 La Grange - Fayette Regional 60 33 67 39 / 0 0 0 0 San Antonio Intl Airport 60 36 65 42 / 0 0 0 0 Stinson Muni Airport 61 34 67 43 / 0 0 0 0

EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Freeze Warning until 9 AM CST this morning for TXZ205-217>222- 228.