City and partners share winter weather resources and tips
Published on January 06, 2025
City of San Antonio, CPS Energy and SAWS share winter weather resources and tips
SAN ANTONIO (January 6, 2025) – The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts significantly cold temperatures to remain in San Antonio throughout the week. Low temperatures are expected to remain in the low 30s each day until Saturday. High temperatures during this period are expected between the mid-to upper 40s until Saturday, when the high is expected in the mid-50s.
The City and partners strongly urge all residents to prepare for cold weather by remembering the Four Ps: People, Pets, Plants & Pipes.
People
Keep warm and dress in layers. Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to cold weather, including the elderly and those with special needs.
City Libraries, Community Centers, and Senior Centers are places to stay warm during regular business hours. For a map of places to stay warm, visit SA.gov/ColdWeather.
The San Antonio Fire Department recommends:
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Install and maintain CO (carbon monoxide) alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Never use a generator indoors.
- Always plug portable heaters into a wall socket (not power strips).
- Remember to unplug portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Never leave children unattended in a room with a space heater.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
Unsheltered Population
The City of San Antonio's Department of Human Services is working with community partners to operate additional temporary overnight shelter space for the unsheltered population. The following partners are offering temporary overnight shelter: Corazon San Antonio at Grace Lutheran Church, Communities Under the Bridge (CUB), and SAMMinistries Shelter (Holiday Inn) and Haven for Hope partnership with Endeavors.
DHS Street Outreach and community partners began reaching out to the unsheltered last week, alerting people of impending cold weather. Outreach partners include Christian Assistance Ministries, SAMMinistries, Haven for Hope, Corazon San Antonio, and Centro San Antonio Ambassadors.
DHS Street Outreach will operate 24 hours per day from Monday, January 6, through Friday, January 10. The City's Community Connections Hotline (210-207-1799) will operate 24 hours a day through Friday to provide up-to-date shelter information and connect unsheltered individuals with resources, including shelter transportation and cold weather supplies. DHS will coordinate with Animal Care Services to care for pets at shelters.
Rental Property Tips
Landlords must maintain their rental properties to the minimum standards of the San Antonio Property Maintenance Code (Sec 6-52). Heating systems must maintain a minimum inside temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (measured three feet above the floor). To report suspected violations, call 311 (210-207-6000).
Pets
Take steps now to protect your pets from the cold.
- Bring pets inside. If you cannot have your pet inside the house, bring them in the garage, purchase an insulated doghouse, or build a protective enclosure that shields them from the elements and gives them a safe, warm place to rest.
- Shorthaired dogs, very young or old dogs, and all cats should not be left outside.
- Outdoor pets will need extra food as it gets colder because they use more energy to stay warm.
- Always provide fresh, clean water regardless of the season. Check water daily and clean bowls regularly.
- Antifreeze is deadly to pets. Store all chemicals out of reach, especially if you bring your pets into the garage on cold nights.
- Before heading out to warm up the car, bang on the hood. A warm engine can be a welcome spot for a cold cat; the noise should scare them away
State law says dogs cannot be tethered with any size chain at any time; it also states dogs cannot be left outdoors restrained and unattended in the case of officially defined extreme weather or situations in which an animal is in severe distress, including conditions in which the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32F.
Potential violators can face impoundment of their pet, fines up to $2,000, and 180 days in jail for repeat offenders. To report suspected violations, call 311 (210-207-6000)
Plants
Plants may need to be covered or brought inside to avoid frost damage.
Pipes
The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) wants to remind residents that ice can form quickly and burst exposed water lines in very cold weather. Follow these tips to avoid the cost and inconvenience of frozen pipes during hard freezes in our area.
Plan Ahead: Most water damage can be avoided by taking simple steps ahead of time:
- Know where your meter cutoff valve is. If pipes freeze, SAWS has a video on how to turn off water at the meter: https://youtu.be/BYp_9JZQb3A (English)
- Disconnect anything outdoors connected to a hose bib. Also, cover hose bibs and any other exposed pipes.
- Turn off irrigation systems and close the shut-off valve if you have one.
- Ensure all in-ground valve boxes have covers or fill the space with rags.
- Pool equipment should be insulated, and the pumps should be left running. For best results, a freeze protector should be installed.
Insulate: You can use foam or fiberglass insulation, or even old rags, bags, and tape to protect your pipes in unheated areas including:
- Garages or sheds containing washing machines, water heaters, water softeners, etc.
- Plumbing in cabinets on outside walls (or leave the cabinet doors open to allow warmer indoor air to circulate.)
- Exposed pipes in the crawl space of homes with pier & beam foundations, prefab, or mobile construction.
- Above-ground backflow devices.
Visit SAWS webpage for more cold weather tips: saws.org/BeReady (English) or saws.org/Preparate (Spanish).
CPS Energy
CPS Energy is prepared for winter weather and has submitted the required declaration of preparedness for winter weatherization to ERCOT. Weatherization activities are complete to protect critical equipment from freezing temperatures and crews are on standby.
ERCOT has issued a weather watch for the week in advance of significant weather with higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves. At this time, grid conditions are expected to be normal, and there is no current expectation of an energy emergency.
Winter preparedness pages are available in English and Spanish. Customers are encouraged to sign up for Energy Alerts or call 210-353-2222 to provide their emergency contact information so the utility can reach them in an emergency. CPS Energy reminds residents to avoid downed power lines and report them at 210-353-4357 (HELP). Do NOT attempt to move or drive over the lines.
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