Does it snow in San Antonio? The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think.
YES, it snows in San Antonio, but it only happens around once every ten years and is unexpected.
Less than 5 inches of snow have fallen on average every ten years in the city since the turn of the century.
This weather pattern will soon alter, though, as the effects of climate change hit harder.
Texas‘s city of San Antonio has a total size of 1,307 square kilometers.
It was once a Spanish mission and colonial outpost and is the oldest municipality in Texas.
A few Spanish missions from the 18th century can be found in the city, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With a population of more than 1.5 million, the city is the second most populated in the Southern United States.
In this post, I will answer in detail the question, “does it snow in San Antonio?”
Let’s get started.
Does it Snow in San Antonio?
As previously stated, the answer is YES. San Antonio does experience snow one in a while during the winter period.
A colder, snowier winter season would be greatly appreciated by the city’s visitors and long-term residents, but preferably without any instances of forced blackouts and an increase in traffic accidents.
Every three to four years, San Antonio experiences measurable snowfall, according to the New Braunfels National Weather Service.
A big snowfall (2-4 inches) only happens around once every ten years. However, those are merely averages. In South Texas, snowfall is frequently unpredictable.
Climate of San Antonio
San Antonio, which is about 650 feet (198 meters) above sea level, has a subtropical climate with mild to moderate winters.
About 200 kilometers (125 miles) separate the city from the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas.
There may be temperature changes during the mild winter, which lasts from December to February.
There can be hot days with highs of 25 °C (77 °F) or higher even in the middle of winter.
Other times, the nights can be chilly and the temperature can go below freezing.
There are occasionally genuine cold waves that last a few days and can cause the temperature to dip to or below -10 °C (14 °F).
The hazardous phenomena of freezing rain might occasionally happen.
In San Antonio, snow is unusual. Typically, it takes a few years to pass between one mild snowfall and another.
The combination of a high temperature and humidity during the summer, from June to September, makes the heat extremely uncomfortable.
It can get up to and even go above 40 °C (104 °F) on the hottest days.
The record was established in early September 2000 at 44 °C (111 °F).
The city can occasionally be affected by hurricane remnants that originate in either the Pacific or the Gulf of Mexico.
In general, hurricanes lose strength as they go inland, although they can still produce a lot of rain.
Although they are more likely to occur from August to October, with a peak in September, hurricanes can occur from June to November.
The coldest month, January, averages 11.2 °C (52 °F), while the warmest month, August, averages 29.7 °C (86 °F).
When Does it Snow in San Antonio?
Although snowfall is rare, San Antonio does experience snow during the winter period that runs from December to February.
Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the snow season in San Antonio:
December
The first time snow falls in San Antonio is in December.
From 46.9 degrees Fahrenheit (8.3 degrees Celsius) to 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (16.9 degrees Celsius), the temperatures are moderate.
San Antonio experiences 0.1 days with snowfall throughout the month, with a maximum snowfall of 0.04 inches (1 mm).
In addition, December has an accumulation of 1.1 inches (28 mm) of precipitation after receiving rain for 9.9 days in a row.
January
Lows of 44.2 degrees Fahrenheit (6.8 degrees Celsius) and highs of 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (16.5 degrees Celsius) are typical for January.
San Antonio experiences its coldest temperatures in January.
With an accumulation of 0.08 inches (2 mm), January has the most snowfall.
9.1 days of rainfall during the month, totaling up to 1.14 inches (29 mm) of precipitation.
February
San Antonio experiences warm, pleasant temps as winter comes to an end. Lows are 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) and highs are 65.8 degrees Fahrenheit (18.8 degrees Celsius) on average.
Snowfall in San Antonio is comparable in January and February.
The total amount of precipitation was 0.98 inches (25 mm), compared to 0.08 inches (2 mm) of snow accumulation.
How Often Does it Snow in San Antonio?
Although it rarely snows in San Antonio, freezing rain can happen.
Winter temperatures can range from 44.2 °F to 65.8 °F in all three months, with January being the coldest and cloudiest, excluding unusually heavy precipitation and blizzards.
Even though traditionally February has the highest average daily snowfall for the city, the weather already starts to warm up and become enjoyable by this month.
Normally, it takes a few years to pass between one mild snowfall and another.
Does San Antonio Experience Snowstorms?
YES, San Antonio does experience snow storms but on rare occasions.
Despite having a typically subtropical climate, San Antonio, Texas, has experienced its share of quite unusual snowstorms during the past few decades.
Many people believe that the recent La Nina wave that slammed North America or climate change are to blame for these instances.
In any case, the phenomenon appears to be recurring, since many strong winter storms struck Texas’s Bexar County and nearby areas in February 2021.
Here are a few examples of snow storms that have hit San Antonio:
The Panhandle Blizzard of 1957
The Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle experienced an unusual phenomenon between March 22 and 25, 1957, which was named third among the top ten meteorological events of the 20th century.
A catastrophic winter storm that dumped about 20 inches of snow on the region, including San Antonio, overran the whole region.
It also brought up to 30-foot snow drifts (caused by wind gusts that approached 60 mph).
The North American Winter Storm of 2021
Winter Storm Uri hit San Antonio from February 13–17, 2021, bringing with it rolling power disruptions and an average snowfall of 3.7 inches (7 inches in isolated spots).
In addition, 263 individuals officially reported dead from car accidents, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other chronic medical issues made worse by the winter.
Winter Storm Goliath of 2015
On December 26–28, 2015, this catastrophic snow storm struck the Southern Plains, had an impact on New Mexico and Texas (particularly Lubbock), and deposited 9–10 inches of rain in a belt through the center of the United States.
It also brought severe winds of up to 50 mph, significant precipitation, and snowdrifts of more than eight feet, which made post-holiday traffic conditions very challenging.
Record-breaking temperatures seemed like they were -5 °C due to wind chills. One of the worst snowstorms to ever hit Texas, this one will go down in history.
Fun Things to Do in San Antonio
San Antonio doesn’t get enough snow to support a ski resort.
In addition, the temperatures are high, making any attempt to keep the snow expensive.
San Antonio is a city that takes great pride in its rich, lengthy past.
Even for frustrated winter sports aficionados, San Antonio is still a sight to behold when there isn’t enough snow.
Some of the places in San Antonio you absolutely must see or visit include:
Visit the historic Tower of the Americas
This 750-foot tower, constructed for the 1968 World’s Fair, provides breathtaking views of the whole San Antonio cityscape.
Get a bird’s-eye view of the city before beginning a full day of touring.
There is an observation deck, a bar, a restaurant, and even a 4D movie experience at the Tower of the Americas.
Keep some quarters aside for the telescope.
Head Over to the River Walk
You must check out this treasure when in San Antonio.
The River Walk, also known as Paseo del Rio, is illuminated day and night like a miniature cultural wonderland and is home to a variety of establishments that look out over the Rio Grande.
The river is located 20 feet below street level and is 15 miles long, but this five-mile section is where the action is.
You and that special someone here? Nothing is more romantic than taking a river taxi or a selfie as a couple on a bridge.
Visit the San Antonio Museum of Art
What is the highlight of this museum? On a river taxi, you may float by it; it is very breathtaking.
But avoid becoming distracted by its exterior because the inside art collections also have a lot to say.
The San Antonio Museum of Art actually has one of the largest southern collections of Roman, Greek, and Egyptian art in addition to a collection of artworks that spans 5,000 years, from ancient to modern.
Visit the Natural Bridge Caverns
The largest known commercial caves in Texas are found at Natural Bridge Caverns.
The caves, which were found in the 1960s by four students from a university in San Antonio, were given their name after a 60-foot limestone slab bridge that could be seen at the entrance.
A regular influx of visitors and locals visit the natural wonder to take excursions that take them 180 feet underground and display huge caves and ancient formations.
Natural Bridge Caverns offers a variety of tour options as well as surface attractions (such as obstacle courses and gem and fossil mining).
Final Thoughts on the Question: “Does it Snow in San Antonio?”
There you have it. The answer to the question “does it snow in San Antonio?”
Despite experiencing a subtropical climate with mild winters, San Antonio does experience a subtropical climate with mild winters.
San Antonio does experience snow once in a while and on some occasions, it does experience snow storms.
Despite the lack of snow, there are plenty of fun activities to keep you entertained while visiting San Antonio.