Cold Weather

Stay Warm

Winter in San Antonio usually lasts from December to February. Sometimes, the temperature can drop below freezing for several days. Winter storms can bring very cold weather with freezing rain, ice, snow, strong winds, or a mix of these.

The City of San Antonio encourages residents to prepare for cold weather with the four Ps:

People
  • Keep warm and dress in layers.
  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable or may not have access to housing and heating, including older adults and people with disabilities.
Pets
  • Bring pets inside to keep them warm and safe.
  • If you are unable to bring your pets inside, provide adequate shelter away from the wind with water and food.
Pipes

Cover pipes and allow faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing.

Plants
  • Bring potted plants inside.
  • For outdoor plants, water and cover them to prevent them from freezing.

Stay Informed

Make a Plan

Review the City's Winter Preparedness Guide (PDF) with your family to create an emergency kit and communication plan.

Places to Stay Warm

Residents in need of a place to stay warm during the day can visit City libraries and senior and community centers during normal operating hours. To find the nearest place to stay warm, call 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000.

Map of Places to Stay Warm

If weather conditions become hazardous, the City may open resilience hubs with extended operating hours.

To support the unsheltered population, the City collaborates with nonprofit partners to provide overnight shelter spaces. For assistance, call the City’s Community Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799.

Fire Safety Tips

Space Heaters

  • Keep anything that can burn (blankets, clothing, curtains), at least 3 feet away.
  • Plug heaters directly into an outlet, do not use an extension cord or power strip.
  • Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave your home.

Stoves & Grills

  • Do not use your gas stove to warm your house.
  • Always use proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Never use an outdoor grill to heat your home or to cook indoors.
  • Do not burn paper in your wood stove.
  • In case of a power outage, have heating equipment ready (fireplaces, wood burning stoves or space heaters) and enough fuel so you can keep at least one room of your house warm.

Fireplaces

  • Keep a screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.
  • Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
  • Put the fire out before you go to bed or leave your home.
  • Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure your family knows how to use them.

Cold Related Illnesses

Hypothermia

Signs of Hypothermia

  • Uncontrollable shivering
  • Memory loss, disorientation
  • Confusion, slurred speech
  • Drowsiness
  • Exhaustion
What To Do
  1. Get the victim to a warm location.
  2. Remove any wet clothing.
  3. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or dry clothing.
  4. Give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the person is conscious.
  5. Take the person's temperature. If their temperature is below 95ºF, seek medical attention immediately.

Frostbite

Signs of Frostbite

Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, earlobes, face and the tip of the nose.

What To Do
  1. Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area in an attempt to warm it up.
    • Frostbite causes ice crystals to form in the tissue, and rubbing could damage the tissue.
  2. Seek medical help immediately.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page on frostbite and hypothermia.

Resources

The following resources and websites can help you further prepare for, respond to, and recover from a winter storm.

City of San Antonio Services
San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
CPS Energy
Streets & Traffic
Community Resources
Disaster & Emergency Planning

Related Links

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