Threat of severe thunderstorms, isolated tornadoes Saturday brings cancellations in San Antonio

Rain falls on downtown San Antonio on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Rain falls on downtown San Antonio on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Photo: Merrisa Brown/San Antonio Express-News Photo: Merrisa Brown/San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 131 Caption Close Threat of severe thunderstorms, isolated tornadoes Saturday brings cancellations in San Antonio 1 / 131 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — South Central Texas will likely face strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday bringing with it up to two inches of rain along with the possibility of isolated tornadoes and supercells, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Steve Smart, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said a 70 percent chance of scattered showers and isolated thunder storms are expected to continue through Friday evening.

Brief heavy downpours and gusty winds of up to 45 mph can be expected around Northeast Bexar County, Western Guadalupe County and Southern Comal County, Smart said, adding that the highest reported gusts so far were 37 mph at Joint Base San Antonio.

He said the rain is expected to continue through the night into Saturday.

Saturday's storms could produce large damaging hail, wind gusts and tornadoes, a NOAA news release said. Storms will mostly impact the region between noon to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Some areas could see up to 4 inches of rain, according to the release. Others could see a low flash flood threat.

Thunderstorms will likely be ongoing across most of the region Saturday morning. The Hill Country will probably experience more thunderstorms in the morning hours while storms impact the Interstate 35 corridor during the afternoon, the release said.

Areas along and east of U.S. Highway 281 will be most susceptible to severe weather.

Meanwhile, New York has seen some relief Friday after being pounded by snowstorms this week.

At least 13 people have died and 50 roofs have collapsed. Some areas in the area have seen more than five feet of snow since Monday.

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CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER

• The San Antonio Clay Festival at the San Antonio Museum of Art, originally taking place on Saturday, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6.

• Saturday's Snakes in the Park event in Stockdale, Texas, sponsored by the San Antonio River Authority, has been canceled due to weather.

• The Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies' toy drive at the Walmart at Loop 1604 and U.S. 281 on Saturday at is being moved to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, due to anticipated rain.

• The University of the Incarnate Word has moved its annual Light the Way holiday event on Saturday from Benson Stadium to the UIW Convocation Center.

• The University of the Incarnate Word has moved its annual Light the Way holiday event on Saturday from Benson Stadium to the UIW Convocation Center.

• Friday's Rooftop Jazz at Artpace concert, with Elias Haslanger and The Church on Monday Band, featuring Dr. James Polk, has been canceled, but will be rescheduled in the new year.

• Friday's Jazz in the Garden concert at the Japanese Tea Garden at Brackenridge Park with the Jacqueline Sotelo Quartet has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

• Friday's Jazz in the Garden concert at the Japanese Tea Garden at Brackenridge Park with the Jacqueline Sotelo Quartet has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

• Saturday's Alamo Heights holiday parade has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6.

• The Mission Reach hike and bike trail from S. Alamo Street to Lone Star Boulevard is closed until further notice.

• A PETA protest to decry the treatment of orcas during the Christmas celebration at SeaWorld scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled.