textproduct: Austin/San Antonio

KEY MESSAGES

- Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions across portions of south central Texas through the next several days.

- Well above normal temperatures and dry conditions will persist into next week.

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Wednesday night) Issued at 1230 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

Gusty south winds have returned to all of south central Texas late this morning. We've also seen an increase in moisture as dewpoint temperatures around sunrise were in the mid 20s to lower 30s, with Noon readings mainly in the mid 30s to mid 40s. Daytime highs are still on track to peak in the 70s for most locations. Gusty south winds will persist into early evening, then decrease across most locations. The exception will be over the higher terrain of the Hill Country where some occasional gusts will likely persist overnight. South to southwesterly winds continue tomorrow and with the low-level thermal ridge set to amplify, daytime highs will soar into the mid 80s to lower 90s. While temperatures will be well above normal, the current record maximum temperatures appear safe at this time. Please see the below Climate section for the details.

LONG TERM

(Thursday through next Tuesday) Issued at 1230 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

A weak cold front will begin to advance into the region on Thursday. However, we still expect to see well above normal temperatures ahead of the front. The warmest readings will be along the Rio Grande where downslope winds will push highs into the mid 90s. Elsewhere, expect highs in the lower 80s to lower 90s. The existing record highs at Austin-Bergstrom and San Antonio could be within reach. A very weak cooling trend is anticipated on Friday, with highs mainly in the upper 70s to upper 80s.

Gusty south winds return for the upcoming weekend along with continued well above normal temperatures. A pattern change could emerge toward the middle of next week as most of the models show an upper low developing in the desert southwest. For this forecast round, prefer to keep dry weather and above normal temperatures intact.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1114 AM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

Gusty southerly wind is expected across all of South Central Texas through sunset. Wind becomes light along the Rio Grande overnight through Wednesday morning, with breezy wind remaining over the Hill Country, I-35 corridor and coastal plains overnight. Wind increases and becomes southwesterly Wednesday morning and afternoon from the Hill Country east. Some guidance suggests brief low ceilings over the I-35 terminals near sunrise tomorrow, but confidence is too low to include any more than FEW015 at this time.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1230 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

Gusty south winds will persist today across all areas. Minimum humidity levels will also trend upward due to the increase in low-level humidity values. Some elevated fire weather concerns may appear this afternoon due to gusty south winds and some pockets of low humidity. All areas can expect good to excellent humidity recovery tonight as some gusty south winds persist across the higher terrain of the Hill Country. Winds trend to a more southwest to westerly direction on Wednesday and some elevated to near critical fire weather conditions may develop mainly along and west of Interstate 35 due to low humidity levels and gusty winds. On Thursday, a cold front moves into the region, but little change in temperatures is anticipated. The dry conditions and gusty north winds may bring near critical fire weather conditions to all of south central Texas. Wind speeds should be around or less than 10 mph for most areas on Friday. Gusty south winds return for the upcoming weekend, but an increase in humidity is also anticipated. Dry weather looks to continue well into early next week.

CLIMATE

Issued at 1230 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

CLIMATE ======= February 25 February 26 Location Record Maximum (Year) Record Maximum (Year)

Austin Camp Mabry 92 (2008) 93 (1954) Austin Bergstrom 89 (2008) 88 (2009) Del Rio 99 (2008) 96 (2024) San Antonio 92 (2008) 91 (1954)

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Austin Camp Mabry 74 56 87 60 / 0 0 0 0 Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport 75 54 86 59 / 0 0 0 0 New Braunfels Muni Airport 74 51 86 56 / 0 0 0 0 Burnet Muni Airport 72 53 87 57 / 0 0 0 0 Del Rio Intl Airport 77 48 93 57 / 0 0 0 0 Georgetown Muni Airport 74 55 87 60 / 0 0 0 0 Hondo Muni Airport 75 46 88 52 / 0 0 0 0 San Marcos Muni Airport 75 53 87 57 / 0 0 0 0 La Grange - Fayette Regional 74 56 85 61 / 0 0 0 0 San Antonio Intl Airport 74 53 87 58 / 0 0 0 0 Stinson Muni Airport 76 52 88 57 / 0 0 0 0

EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.