Freezing Rain Hits San Antonio: What Homeowners, Buyers and Renters Need to Know Right Now

San Antonio is waking up to a genuine winter weather event this Sunday, January 25, 2026. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect, forecasters are calling for between 0.1 and 0.25 inches of ice accumulation, and overnight lows are expected to drop into the low 20s. San Antonio ISD, Northside ISD, Harlandale ISD, Pre-K 4 SA and the Alamo Colleges District have all canceled classes. CPS Energy has stated its facilities are weatherized and crews are standing by.

For most San Antonio residents, the school closures are the most visible sign that officials are taking this storm seriously. Northside ISD serves a wide swath of the city's northwest side, including neighborhoods like Leon Valley, Helotes, and areas along Loop 1604. San Antonio ISD covers much of the urban core. Harlandale ISD serves communities on the south side. When multiple large districts cancel on the same day, it tells you something real about road conditions and the risk of ice on surfaces that rarely see sustained cold.

If you own a home in San Antonio, this storm deserves your full attention today. A quarter inch of ice does not sound like much, but it is enough to coat exposed pipes, weigh down tree branches onto roofs and fences, and make concrete driveways and walkways dangerously slick. The low 20s overnight means temperatures well below the freezing point for an extended period, which is the scenario most likely to cause pipes to freeze and burst.

The most urgent thing you can do right now is protect your pipes. Focus on any supply lines that run through exterior walls, in garages, under sinks on outside-facing walls, or in uninsulated attic spaces. Let those faucets drip slowly overnight. Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warmer interior air reach the pipes. If you have an irrigation system, make sure it was properly winterized. If it was not, shut off the supply to it at the main valve now.

Disconnect any garden hoses from outdoor hose bibs. Even a frost-free sillcock can freeze and crack if a hose is left attached, because the hose traps water inside the valve. This is a simple step that prevents an expensive repair.

Check your roof and gutters if it is safe to do so from the ground. Ice accumulation on gutters can create ice dams that force water up under shingles when temperatures eventually rise. If you have any low-hanging tree branches over your roof or over power lines on your property, keep an eye on them. Ice-laden branches can break without warning.

For buyers who are currently under contract on a home in San Antonio, do not let this storm delay your due diligence. If you have a home inspection scheduled, confirm with your agent and inspector whether it will proceed. More importantly, ask your inspector to pay close attention to the plumbing, attic insulation and any signs of previous freeze damage once the storm passes. A home that has not been properly winterized will show its vulnerabilities in weather exactly like this.

For sellers, this is a good moment to remind buyers and their agents that your home is prepared. If you have documentation showing pipe insulation, weatherstripping upgrades or a newer water heater, share it. Buyers who are nervous about San Antonio winters respond well to concrete evidence that a home has been maintained.

Renters have rights and responsibilities during a storm like this too. If you rent a house or apartment in any of the affected areas, whether in a Northside ISD zip code on the northwest side, in Harlandale's south side neighborhoods, or anywhere served by San Antonio ISD, contact your landlord or property manager today if you notice any plumbing concerns, drafts around windows or doors, or heating issues. Landlords in Texas are legally required to make timely repairs that affect habitability, and a heating system failure during a Winter Storm Warning qualifies.

CPS Energy's preparation is worth noting. The utility has confirmed its facilities are weatherized and crews are on standby. Still, if you lose power, do not use a generator indoors or in an attached garage, and never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Have a battery-powered flashlight, extra blankets and a charged phone ready before temperatures drop tonight.

San Antonio does not see ice storms every winter, but when they arrive, homes and infrastructure here are simply not built to the same cold-weather standards as northern cities. That gap makes preparation more important, not less. Take the warnings seriously today, handle the small preventive steps now, and you will be in a much better position when warmer weather returns later this week.