You’ll feel the first hint around the third week of October. It’s subtle, like when you walk out of the H-E-B and a breeze hits your neck that doesn’t feel like a hair dryer. That’s your first clue. But don’t pack away your shorts yet—the afternoon will still hit 85 and laugh at you.
I remember one Halloween a few years back. I wore a light jacket, and by 9 p.m. I was sweating through my costume. The trick is patience. San Antonio’s cold doesn’t arrive in a rush; it tiptoes in through the back door.
November: the real shift
Here’s the sweet spot: November. Specifically, around the first or second week. You’ll wake up one morning, step outside with your coffee, and actually need a blanket on the porch. The sun still warms things up by noon, but the mornings and evenings get that crisp, clean feel. That’s when you know it’s real.
I’ve got a buddy who waits all year to fire up his charcoal grill again. He says November 5th is his official “cold enough” day. He’ll text the group chat: “It’s 52 degrees, boys. Brisket weather.” And we all know exactly what he means—finally, we can stand near the heat without wanting to faint.
