Alert archive / Texas / Rip Current Statements in 2026

Rip Current Statement 14, NWS Brownsville, TX

March 15, 2026Cameron County, Kenedy County, Willacy County, Texas

NWS Brownsville, TX issued this rip current statement at Mar 15, 2026, 2:01 AM CDT for Cameron County, Kenedy County, Willacy County, Texas. It took effect at Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 AM CDT. It was in force for 24 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 15, 2026, 2:01 AM CDT (07:01 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 AM CDT
Expired
Mar 17, 2026, 7:00 AM CDT
In force
24 hr
Issued by
NWS Brownsville, TX

Counties Cameron County, TX, Kenedy County, TX, Willacy County, TX

The radar

The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:04 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Brownsville Intl, TX (KBRO), launched 00:00Z, 7.0 hours before the alert went out and 71 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Brownsville Intl, TX at 00:00Z on 2026-03-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1037 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Brownsville Intl, TX at 00:00Z on 2026-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 105 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1037 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-298 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
819 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
105 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
166 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

034 
WHUS44 KBRO 150701
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
201 AM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026

TXZ451-454-455-160000-
/O.NEW.KBRO.SU.Y.0007.260316T1200Z-260317T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KBRO.RP.S.0014.260316T1200Z-260317T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
201 AM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM CDT MONDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 
  to 8 feet expected in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current 
  Risk, dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 7 AM to 7 PM CDT 
  Monday. For the High Rip Current Risk, from Monday morning 
  through Monday evening.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
5 follow-up statements
403 
WHUS44 KBRO 160112
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
812 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026

TXZ451-454-455-161800-
/O.CON.KBRO.SU.Y.0007.260316T1200Z-260317T0000Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0014.260316T1200Z-260317T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
812 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM CDT
MONDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM CDT MONDAY
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 
  to 13 feet expected in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current 
  Risk, dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 7 AM to 7 PM CDT 
  Monday. For the High Rip Current Risk, from 7 AM CDT Monday 
  through Monday evening.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
887 
WHUS44 KBRO 160755
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
255 AM CDT Mon Mar 16 2026

TXZ451-454-455-170000-
/O.EXT.KBRO.SU.Y.0007.260316T1200Z-260317T1200Z/
/O.EXT.KBRO.RP.S.0014.260316T1200Z-260317T1200Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
255 AM CDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO
7 AM CDT TUESDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 8 
  to 11 feet expected in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current 
  Risk, dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 7 AM this morning to 7 
  AM CDT Tuesday. For the High Rip Current Risk, from 7 AM CDT 
  this morning through Tuesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
644 
WHUS44 KBRO 161929
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
229 PM CDT Mon Mar 16 2026

TXZ451-454-455-171000-
/O.NEW.KBRO.CF.S.0001.260316T1929Z-260317T1000Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.SU.Y.0007.000000T0000Z-260317T1200Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0014.000000T0000Z-260317T1200Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
229 PM CDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...COASTAL FLOOD STATEMENT IN EFFECT THROUGH 5 AM CDT TUESDAY...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT TUESDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Statement, isolated minor coastal 
  flooding. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 
  3 to 11 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, 
  dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Statement, until 5 AM CDT Tuesday.
  For the High Surf Advisory, until 7 AM CDT Tuesday. For the 
  High Rip Current Risk, through 7 AM CDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Wave run-up may approach the dunes along narrow 
  beaches. Beach equipment, such as umbrellas and chairs, could 
  be moved by waves. Vehicles driving along narrow beaches may 
  experience higher water levels. Elevated water levels may also 
  occur across the Laguna Madre and South Bay, and along State 
  Highway 4 west of Boca Chica State Park. Dangerous swimming 
  and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip 
  currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into 
  deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High Tides at 4:54 PM CDT and 1:06 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
681 
WHUS44 KBRO 171007
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
507 AM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

TXZ451-454-455-171200-
/O.EXP.KBRO.CF.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260317T1000Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.SU.Y.0007.000000T0000Z-260317T1200Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0014.000000T0000Z-260317T1200Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
507 AM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS
MORNING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS
MORNING...
...COASTAL FLOOD STATEMENT HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 3 to
  6 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, 
  dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
412 
WHUS44 KBRO 171208
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
708 AM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

TXZ451-454-455-171315-
/O.EXP.KBRO.SU.Y.0007.000000T0000Z-260317T1200Z/
/O.EXP.KBRO.RP.S.0014.000000T0000Z-260317T1200Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
708 AM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK HAS EXPIRED...

Conditions along the Lower Texas Coast are improving. As a
result, the High Surf Advisory is no longer in effect, and there
is no longer a High Risk of rip currents at the local beaches. 

However, there is now a Moderate Risk of rip currents at the
beaches along the Lower Texas Coast from now until this evening.

$$

HK

The office that day

Everything else NWS Brownsville, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 14, 10:31 PM CDTSmall Craft AdvisoryBRO23 hr
Mar 15, 1:36 AM CDTGale WarningBRO39 hr
Mar 15, 1:49 AM CDTRed Flag WarningBROBrooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr and 2 more41 hr
Mar 15, 2:01 AM CDTHigh Surf AdvisoryBROCameron, Kenedy, Willacy53 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Texas, 2026Every rip current statement in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.