San Antonio sits at the edge of “Flash Flood Alley,” a stretch of south-central Texas notorious for some of the most extreme rainfall rates in the country, where warm Gulf moisture collides with the Balcones Escarpment and can dump enormous amounts of rain in just a few hours. The city averages around 810 mm (about 32 inches) of rain a year, but individual storms have produced record-breaking totals that overwhelm the region’s many normally-dry creeks with little warning. This combination of hilly terrain and thin soil means water runs off fast rather than soaking in. Because flash flooding here can develop faster than a standard forecast can capture, radar tracking is treated as a critical, routinely used safety tool. NWS Doppler radar KEWX (Austin/San Antonio) covers the region.
Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in San Antonio right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over San Antonio, Texas in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over San Antonio, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the San Antonio rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward San Antonio?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Texas are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach San Antonio or pass by.
Is this San Antonio rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.