San Antonio once reached 100 degrees in February
February is most often associated with some of the coldest weather that San Antonio experiences during a year. On rare occasions, South Texas has seen temperatures drop to the teens or even single digits during the month. However, February is a transitional month, and temperatures do rise into the 70s and even low 80s on a semi-regular occasion.
Even so, it’s often too early in the year for San Antonio to see temperatures rise to the 90s. It has happened several times, though. In fact, San Antonio reaches at least 90 degrees in February about once every six years. But 100 degrees? In February? That’s crazy, right?
It is crazy. But it has happened once before.
Back on Feb. 21, 1996, early morning temperatures in the low 50s were innocent-looking enough. But as the day went on, temperatures continued to rise higher and higher. By late afternoon, temperatures had risen all the way to 100 degrees.
It’s still San Antonio’s hottest temperature ever recorded in the month of February.
The record 100-degree temperature came during a four-day streak where temperatures rose to at least 90 degrees each day from Feb. 20-23, 1996. Weirdly enough, temperatures were a bitter cold 19 degrees just a few weeks prior on Feb. 4, 1996.
This week isn’t expected to set any records. Tuesday morning, we can expect clear skies and the coldest temperatures of the week, with lows dipping into the low to mid-40s. As the day progresses, temperatures should climb into the mid-50s around lunchtime and then peak near 70 degrees in the afternoon, only about 5 degrees above normal for this time of year.
Afternoon highs are expected to be back into the 70s Thursday through Saturday.
As for rainfall, there’s a low chance later this week as a high pressure system moves out of the area Wednesday, allowing our winds to turn more southerly and pull in more atmospheric moisture.
With additional moisture in the atmosphere, patchy drizzle and fog are possible in San Antonio and areas west of the city by Thursday morning. In the afternoon, we also can’t rule out a few streamers, or coastal showers, east of the city. Rain chances are low but not zero.
Our next big rain chance will make an appearance this weekend, but forecast models differ on timing and intensity right now. We currently have a 20% rain chance on Friday increasing to a 40% chance on Saturday and Sunday. This storm looks to produce about quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain across South and Central Texas.