ASHTON JEFFERS – NEWS EDITOR ORINGINALLY PUBLISHED JAN. 31, 2024
In recent years, Texas has been no stranger to extreme weather temperatures, whether it was extreme heat during the summer of 2023 or a week of snow in February 2021. Still, questions of managing these extreme temperatures, especially in South Texas, have given way to concern. Understandably, there are questions about the Texas power grid and how to provide ample resources to residents preparing for the extreme temperatures and weather notices. Weather advisories told South Texas residents to prepare for an arctic air cold front on Tuesday, Jan. 16, where temperatures would dip low into the 20s and upper teens. Not only would temperatures drastically lower from the trend Texans have seen throughout the end of last year, but they would begin to range from the mid-60s to the lower 30s. As students, faculty and staff began to return to campus to start the spring semester, it was essential to be prepared. For students, it was important to arrive to classes safely. Commuters focused on bundling up to stay warm and safely navigating the roads to attend their classes and other events on campus.
The cold also brought in unfortunate news in terms of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March, traditionally held on the third Monday in January and on San Antonio’s Eastside. Due to the extremely cold weather conditions, the march was canceled by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, which in turn, canceled the MLK Day March event at St. Mary’s University. Those who signed up were looking forward to another event of marching alongside students and faculty from other universities, schools, nonprofit organizations and San Antonio residents to kick off DreamWeek San Antonio, a local San Antonio-based organization that creates events in January to celebrate the efforts for human rights and justice. DreamWeek events are kicked off with the MLK March but continue to represent the goal of honoring efforts in San Antonio that highlight civic and civil engagement. St. Mary’s students, faculty and staff attending the MLK March event would be offered breakfast and transportation to the March from campus organized by the Office of Community Engagement. Despite having such an iconic and historic event canceled, there is more to look forward to as the semester goes on.
Not only is traveling a concern during extreme cold weather situations in South Texas, but many worry about simply staying warm. The City of San Antonio understood that residents would need access to supplies, such as power and wi-fi, during the days of extreme cold and recently, heavy amounts of rainfall. For the unhoused population, warming centers opened across the city for those who needed to seek shelter from the harrowing conditions. Staying warm was crucial for student residents at St. Mary’s who walk to their classes. “I felt prepared for the oncoming cold front,” stated junior accounting major, Angelo Oliva. “I had thick clothing ready to keep me warm for the next couple of days. The only thing I prepared at hand in my dorm was some food just because it was too cold outside.” From the weather warning given the week prior, there was a focus on how weather conditions truly impact Texans in more ways than just their physical well-being.
Nearing the end of January, San Antonio experienced heavy rainfall. While it can be said that Texas desperately needs rain after a long, extremely hot summer, a heavy amount of rainfall is not always easy to prepare for. Though heavy rain is slightly more common than extreme cold temperatures, several places around San Antonio have had flash flood warnings, especially on roads and highways. While it is great for the area to have a respite from the long-standing drought conditions, it is also important to recognize when it is safe to travel and avoid areas prone to flooding as much as possible while these rainy conditions persist.
This does not spell out the end of extreme weather conditions for the new year. Staying safe and healthy are priorities for those on and off campus. For more weather updates and precautions, stay up to date through the National Weather Service website, https://www.weather.gov/.