Storms Hit San Antonio as Chavez March Canceled and Fiesta Plans Advance
San Antonio, TX – March 8, 2026 – Strong storms trigger warnings and outages as a major march is canceled and Fiesta plans move forward.
Severe Storms Sweep Through Area
Strong thunderstorms moved across San Antonio early Sunday, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of the metro area. Forecasters warned of damaging winds, frequent lightning and hail as cells tracked through communities including Schertz, Universal City and Converse.
CPS Energy reported scattered outages Sunday morning, with hundreds of customers briefly without power on the Southeast Side. Additional showers and storms remain possible through the day, keeping temperatures cooler than average for early March.
Cesar Chavez March Canceled
In a surprise announcement Friday, organizers confirmed that the annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice has been canceled for 2026. The long-running West Side event, which typically draws thousands each spring, was scheduled for March 28.
Organizers did not provide a detailed explanation for the cancellation but encouraged residents to remain engaged in civic efforts across the city.
Basura Bash Postponed
Severe weather also forced River Aid San Antonio to postpone its annual Basura Bash cleanup event, originally set for Saturday. The decision came amid forecasts calling for thunderstorms and large hail across South Central Texas.
Organizers say a new date will be announced soon, with volunteers encouraged to stay tuned for updates.
Fiesta Update: Battle of Flowers
Looking ahead to Fiesta season, officials announced the 2026 Battle of Flowers Parade grand marshal earlier this week. The annual parade remains one of the city’s signature spring traditions and marks a major milestone in the countdown to Fiesta.
Despite a stormy start to the weekend, major spring events across San Antonio are continuing to take shape as the city heads deeper into March.
Sources
- https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/severe-thunderstorms-san-antonio-21962664.php/
- https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/hail-san-antonio-weather-21956811.php
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cesar-e-chavez-march-justice-233010756.html
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/severe-weather-forecast-forces-major-160816445.html
- https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/03/05/battle-of-flowers-parade-to-announce-2026-grand-marshal/
