Weather experts predict drought to persist for San Antonio, surrounding area

Drought conditions are expected to persist over the next three months for San Antonio and the surrounding area, including North San Antonio and the northeast San Antonio metro, according to the most recent update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Most of San Antonio and the surrounding area is in D3, extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The outlook, released by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, is in effect for Feb. 16 through May 31.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 79.7% of Bexar County is in D3 or D4, which is classified as exceptional drought.

The classifications define extreme drought as soil visibly showing large cracks, soil moisture being very low. and the occurrence of dust or sand storms. There are also implications for damage to crops and danger to livestock that could require supplemental feed, nutrients, protein, and water, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Exceptional Drought is marked by widespread crop loss, dying or dead rangeland and producers not planting fields, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Also, significant financial losses may be reported for the seafood, forestry, tourism, and agriculture sectors.

When an area is designated D4, there is also an “extreme sensitivity to fire danger,” and firework restrictions may be implemented.

Any change in conditions has been slow, and the NOAA reported no change since the last outlook, adding 100% of people in Bexar County, or over 1.7 million people, are affected by the drought.