Tornado Warning Near Calaveras Lake
A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Calaveras Lake in eastern Bexar County, Texas, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning for the area. The warning was issued at approximately 4:04 p.m. CDT and remained in effect until 4:45 p.m. as the rotating storm moved northeast at 15 miles per hour toward the San Antonio metropolitan area. Residents near Calaveras Lake and Stinson Municipal Airport were urged to take immediate cover.
Storm Details and Movement
The National Weather Service identified a severe thunderstorm with strong rotation near Calaveras Lake, located in the eastern portion of Bexar County. The storm was moving northeast toward populated areas of San Antonio, with radar indicators showing the potential for a tornado to develop or already be on the ground. The tornado warning covered parts of eastern Bexar County, including communities between Elmendorf and China Grove. Meteorologists tracked the storm closely using Doppler radar and spotter reports from the field.
Tornado Confirmed Near San Antonio
The National Weather Service later confirmed that a tornado did in fact strike the San Antonio area during the afternoon severe weather event. The confirmation came after forecasters reviewed radar data and received reports from trained spotters and emergency management personnel in the field. The tornado developed amid a broader severe weather outbreak that impacted the San Antonio region, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, and dangerous lightning in addition to the tornado threat.
Second Tornado Warning of the Day
Wednesday’s tornado warning near Calaveras Lake marked the second tornado warning issued for the San Antonio area on the same day, highlighting the particularly active severe weather pattern across South Texas. An earlier warning had also prompted residents to seek shelter during the morning hours. The back-to-back warnings kept emergency management officials and local residents on high alert throughout the day. Bexar County emergency officials activated warning systems and coordinated shelter-in-place notifications for areas in the storm’s path.
Calaveras Lake Area Safety Information
Calaveras Lake is a popular recreational area located southeast of downtown San Antonio. The lake and surrounding park areas draw visitors for fishing, boating, and outdoor activities, making the tornado warning particularly concerning for anyone caught outdoors. Stinson Municipal Airport, located near the lake, is also situated in the warning area. Aviation operations were likely affected as the severe storm passed through the vicinity. The National Weather Service recommends that anyone in the path of a tornado-warned storm move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
Severe Weather Season in South Texas
July severe weather events, while less common than spring outbreaks, can still produce dangerous tornadoes in South Texas. The combination of summer heat and Gulf moisture can create the atmospheric instability needed for rotating thunderstorms. The National Weather Service San Antonio office continues to monitor conditions across the region and encourages residents to have a severe weather plan in place, including multiple ways to receive warnings. The confirmed tornado near Calaveras Lake serves as a reminder that tornadoes can occur during any month of the year in Texas.
