Fetching map data...

Is it raining now in San Antonio?

Sunny

9 Jul

No upcoming precipitation for the next hour.

Last update: 20:00, 9 Jul 2026

Free to download * Essential from $0.83 * Prices vary by region and promotions.

Rain in San Antonio: What You Need to Know

San Antonio receives its most impactful rain during May–June (spring convective peak) and June–November (hurricane season), and the San Antonio rain radar shows what a standard forecast cannot: exactly which streets are in the path of an incoming cell and how many minutes remain before it arrives. A hyperlocal radar is the practical tool for anyone navigating San Antonio's weather — from commuters on the freeway to outdoor event organizers to residents near River Walk flood gates activated during storms.

The geography that shapes San Antonio's rain risk comes from diverse climate; Tornado Alley in north; Gulf Coast hurricane corridor in south; Flash Flood Alley from I-35 to Hill Country; Harvey (2017) 60-inch benchmark. When intense cells develop, they approach primarily from south or southeast off Gulf, and the local terrain concentrates runoff into River Walk flood gates activated during storms rapidly. Standard 12-hour forecasts cover the broader region; a live radar shows the cell boundary at 250-meter resolution — the neighborhood-level distinction that changes whether you leave now or wait 30 minutes.

RainViewer pulls live NEXRAD data from KFWS (Fort Worth) / KHGX (Houston), updated every 4–6 minutes. The map shows the exact storm position and movement vector over San Antonio, Texas, including direction arrows showing whether a cell is tracking toward the city center or moving away. What the live map reveals that no forecast can: whether the cell building to the south will reach your specific block in San Antonio or dissipate before arrival.

Rain by Season in San Antonio

  • Peak rain season (May–June (spring convective peak) and June–November (hurricane season))

    San Antonio's highest-risk weather window aligns with May–June (spring convective peak) and June–November (hurricane season), when diverse climate drives the most intense precipitation events. This is when River Walk flood gates activated during storms is most likely to cause disruption and when the radar is most operationally valuable for anyone planning outdoor activities, managing outdoor venues, or commuting through flood-prone corridors in San Antonio.

  • Transition months

    The weeks before and after the main rain season bring unpredictable conditions in San Antonio — storm intensity varies widely, and forecast models are least reliable during these transitions. Outdoor activities, construction schedules, and event planning in San Antonio are most vulnerable to unexpected weather during the seasonal transition windows.

  • Drier season (July–August)

    During July–August, San Antonio sees its lowest rain probability. Outdoor events, construction, and recreational activities proceed with reduced weather risk. Some residual risk remains from occasional frontal systems or isolated convection, but San Antonio is most reliably dry during this period.

Why You Need a Rain Radar in San Antonio

  • San Antonio Flood-Zone Residents and Property Managers

    San Antonio's River Walk flood gates activated during storms can rise rapidly during intense rain events. A live radar showing an intense cell approaching from south or southeast off Gulf gives residents and property managers 20–30 minutes to move vehicles, prepare drainage systems, and alert household members before conditions become dangerous.

  • Commuters and Highway Drivers in San Antonio

    Rain events in San Antonio can close roads and create dangerous driving conditions with minimal warning. Checking the radar 20 minutes before departure reveals whether an incoming cell will clear before your route or whether a 30-minute delay will mean dry roads — a practical decision that saves time and reduces flood-crossing risk on San Antonio's most weather-sensitive corridors.

  • Outdoor Recreation and Event Planning in San Antonio

    San Antonio's outdoor venues, parks, and recreational areas are directly exposed to the afternoon convective storms that characterize Texas's May–June (spring convective peak) and June–November (hurricane season) weather window. A live radar check 30–60 minutes ahead tells event managers and outdoor enthusiasts whether to proceed with outdoor plans or prepare for disruption.

  • Military Bases Operations in San Antonio

    San Antonio's military bases sector operates facilities and transportation networks sensitive to weather disruptions. Rain events that cause road closures, reduce visibility, or create safety hazards for outdoor workers are most actionable with 20–30 minutes' advance warning from a live radar — enough time to shelter workers, delay vehicle dispatches, or alert logistics teams before conditions deteriorate.

RainViewer Radar Coverage in San Antonio

RainViewer aggregates radar data for the United States from the NEXRAD network operated by NOAA's National Weather Service — 160 WSR-88D stations covering the contiguous US, Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories. Data updates every 4–6 minutes as each station completes its scan cycle. RainViewer processes and displays NEXRAD data at up to 250-meter resolution, preserving the raw scan data rather than smoothing it into regional averages. For San Antonio, Texas, the primary NEXRAD source is KFWS (Fort Worth) / KHGX (Houston), providing hyperlocal radar coverage across the area.

San Antonio Rain Radar: Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Antonio flood when it rains heavily?

Yes — San Antonio's River Walk flood gates activated during storms creates documented flood risk during intense rain events. Diverse climate means that rainfall runs off rapidly into drainage channels and low-lying streets. Avoiding river crossings and low underpasses during active radar cells reduces flood risk significantly.

When is San Antonio's rainy season?

San Antonio's primary rain season runs through May–June (spring convective peak) and June–November (hurricane season), when diverse climate drives the most active weather. The driest period is typically July–August, when outdoor activities and travel planning carry the lowest weather risk.

Why is rain in San Antonio so hard to predict precisely?

San Antonio's rain character is shaped by diverse climate, which creates localized precipitation patterns that vary significantly across the city. A forecast covers the broader Texas region; a hyperlocal radar at 250-meter resolution shows the actual cell position over San Antonio in real time, updated every 4–6 minutes from KFWS (Fort Worth) / KHGX (Houston).

Is there a live rain radar for San Antonio?

Yes — RainViewer displays live NEXRAD data for San Antonio at up to 250-meter resolution, updated every 4–6 minutes from KFWS (Fort Worth) / KHGX (Houston). The map shows current precipitation, storm movement direction, and a 2-hour nowcast — so you can see whether the cell approaching from south or southeast off Gulf will reach San Antonio or change track before arrival.

How quickly do storms move through San Antonio?

Storm speed varies, but most convective cells affecting San Antonio move at 20–40 mph, giving 15–30 minutes of advance warning when a cell appears on the radar 10–15 miles away. Stalling systems — which bring the most severe flooding — are visible on radar as cells with little lateral movement over San Antonio's watershed.

Can I get a rain alert before storms reach San Antonio?

RainViewer Essential sends a rain alert 10–15 minutes before precipitation reaches your saved location in San Antonio. Set an alert for your home, workplace, or outdoor venue — the alert fires when radar confirms rain approaching your specific pin, not just a general San Antonio area warning.

How accurate is the rain radar for San Antonio?

NEXRAD radar data from KFWS (Fort Worth) / KHGX (Houston) is updated every 4–6 minutes and processed at up to 250-meter resolution — significantly more precise than standard weather app forecasts. For San Antonio, this means the radar can distinguish whether rain is falling in one neighborhood while an adjacent area remains dry, a distinction that is common during San Antonio's convective storm season.

What should I do when the San Antonio rain radar shows a severe cell approaching?

When the radar shows a fast-moving intense cell (deep red or purple colors) approaching San Antonio from south or southeast off Gulf, allow 20–30 minutes to complete outdoor tasks, move vehicles from flood-prone areas near river corridors, and ensure outdoor workers or guests are aware. Most San Antonio convective cells clear within 45–90 minutes, so waiting out an approaching cell is often the practical choice.

Track Rain in San Antonio in Real Time

San Antonio's River can rise within 30 minutes of an intense cell — the radar gives you the window a forecast cannot.

A forecast tells you rain is likely. The radar tells you the cell is approaching from south or southeast off Gulf and will reach San Antonio in 18 minutes.

Your weather app says storms likely for San Antonio. RainViewer shows the cell is 8 miles from San Antonio center and arriving in 12 minutes.

Track rain in San Antonio — free Upgrade to Essential for alerts, forecasts, and full radar history

  • 2-hour forecast in 5-minute slices

    see exactly when rain will reach your neighborhood in San Antonio

  • Rain alerts before arrival

    set an alert for your specific location in San Antonio before the next storm

  • Direction arrows on the map

    San Antonio storms arrive predominantly from south or southeast off Gulf; arrows show the exact track

  • 48 hours of radar history

    scroll back to understand where the last storm's heaviest rain fell in San Antonio

  • Multiple locations

    track your home, workplace, and key outdoor venues in San Antonio simultaneously

RainViewer logo RainViewer