Alert archive / Texas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 22, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX

May 20, 20264 counties in Texas

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this flash flood warning at May 20, 2026, 1:15 PM CDT for 4 counties in Texas. It was in force for 3 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 20, 2026, 1:15 PM CDT (18:15 UTC)
Expired
May 20, 2026, 4:15 PM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Andrews County, TX, Dawson County, TX, Gaines County, TX, Martin County, TX

The radar

The Midland/Odessa radar (KMAF), 67 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:15 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 20, 1:30 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Wsw Grady, TXDelayed report - an NWS Employee found evidence of flash flooding along portions of TX 176 west of Tarzan and of low-water crossings along FM 829. The time of occurrence is estimated from radar.
May 20, 1:45 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Nne Lamesa, TXNWS employee reported water flowing over the intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and North 17th Street.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 15 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Del Rio, TX (KDRT), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 376 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, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-05-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 52 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-05-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -56 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
52 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-811 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
843 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-56 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

566 
WGUS54 KMAF 201815
FFWMAF
TXC003-115-165-317-202115-
/O.NEW.KMAF.FF.W.0022.260520T1815Z-260520T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
115 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Andrews County in western Texas...
  Southwestern Dawson County in western Texas...
  Eastern Gaines County in western Texas...
  Martin County in western Texas...

* Until 415 PM CDT.

* At 115 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain
  has fallen within the warned area during the past hour and
  additional showers and storms will continue to develop. Flash
  flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lamesa, Lamesa Municipal Airport, Lenorah, Los Ybanez, Patricia,
  Klondike, Tenmile, Sparenberg, Tarzan, McKenzie Lake, Punkin Center
  and Loop.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 10262 3270 10253 3294 10241 3296 10231
      3296 10223 3291 10213 3269 10177 3236 10169
      3230 10169 3209 10201 3209 10212 3211 10225
      3250 10218

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

21
1 follow-up statement
616 
WGUS74 KMAF 201901
FFSMAF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
201 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXC003-115-165-317-202115-
/O.CON.KMAF.FF.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260520T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Andrews TX-Dawson TX-Gaines TX-Martin TX-
201 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR NORTHEASTERN ANDREWS, SOUTHWESTERN DAWSON, EASTERN
GAINES AND MARTIN COUNTIES...

At 201 PM CDT, an NWS employee reported flash flooding at the
intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and north 17th Street in Lamesa.
Doppler radar continued to indicate showers and thunderstorms
developing and producing heavy rain across much of the warned area.
Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen with additional heavy
rainfall possible. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...NWS Employee reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lamesa, Lamesa Municipal Airport, Lenorah, Los Ybanez, Patricia,
  Klondike, Tenmile, Sparenberg, Tarzan, McKenzie Lake, Punkin Center
  and Loop.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 10262 3270 10253 3294 10241 3296 10231
      3296 10223 3291 10213 3269 10177 3236 10169
      3230 10169 3209 10201 3209 10212 3211 10225
      3250 10218

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

21

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 20, 6:40 AM CDT, 6 hours 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 638 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
  • Showers and storms are expected today beginning early this afternoon and continuing into this evening. Any strong to severe storms will be capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. We will also monitor for flash flooding.
  • Shower and storm chances continue through this weekend as additional disturbances move overhead.
Area forecast discussion, May 20, 6:40 AM CDT, 6 hours 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
640 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 638 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

- Showers and storms are expected today beginning early this
  afternoon and continuing into this evening. Any strong to severe
  storms will be capable of producing large hail and damaging
  winds. We will also monitor for flash flooding.

- Shower and storm chances continue through this weekend as
  additional disturbances move overhead.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Thursday afternoon)
Issued at 156 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

The cold front that moved through the area on Tuesday has washed out
across the southern half of the region and will be one of the
catalysts for convection during the day today. In addition to the
front, plenty of moisture and instability will be available to help
some storms become strong to severe. Forecast soundings continue to
show plenty of shear, 1000-2000J/kg of MUCAPE, and steep lapse rates
favorable for large hail and damaging winds in the most organized
storms. Hi-res ensembles show activity getting an early start on the
day around or just afternoon with convection developing near the
Davis Mountains/Pecos River Valley and moving east into the Permian
Basin and Stockton Plateau. Coverage increases during the afternoon
and some upscale growth into multicellular clusters or lines of
storms may occur before exiting the region tonight after sunset.
Daytime highs to the north of the stalled front will struggle to
reach out of the 70s as low clouds keep temperatures from moving
much. To the south and west of the front, mainly west of the Pecos
River, highs will reach into the 80s with 90s along the Rio
Grande.

Tonight sees a lull in convection as the daytime activity decays or
moves off to the east. The dryline establishes itself west of
Midland/Odessa near or just west of the TX/NM border. The dryline's
position and any leftover boundaries from today will impact where
any convection develops on Thursday. Coverage overall will be lower
as the upper level support available for storms today will be weaker
for Thursday. Similar to today though, large hail and damaging winds
will be the primary hazards with any severe storms that develop.
Localized flash flooding will also be possible, particularly from
Reagan County southward into eastern Pecos and portions of
Terrell County that saw significant rainfall on Tuesday. Highs on
Thursday remain below normal, but increase into the 80s for most.

-Stickney

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 156 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

Thursday night sees activity once again decay and move off to the
east of our area. Friday and through the weekend, a similar pattern
continues where daytime convection will be dependent on where the
dryline sets up in the CWA and the timing of any upper level
disturbances that move in from the west. Medium to long range
guidance shows this occurring roughly each day Friday through Sunday
with a decrease in activity for Monday. Temperatures through the
weekend will hover near or just below normal in the 80s to low 90s.
Unsurprisingly, Rio Grande Village and the surrounding low Desert of
Big Bend may still reach the century mark on those days, but
temperatures will be otherwise unremarkable for late May. Given the
isolated to scattered nature of each day's showers and storms, rain
amounts will be tough to pin down. Rain chances continue evening
into the middle of next week, but that portion of the forecast
remains subject to change.

-Stickney

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 638 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

Near MVFR CIGs have moved into the region at most terminals and
will be a fixture for the morning before lifting or dissipating.
TS/TSRA are possible this afternoon, but confidence remains low to
include mention at all sites with this issuance. Easterly flow
shifts southeasterly during the day with sustained winds between
10-15kts. Gusty and erratic winds will be possible with any nearby
convection.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring               74  59  81  61 /  60  50  30  10
Carlsbad                 82  59  90  60 /  30  30  10  10
Dryden                   84  64  86  65 /  50  50  10  20
Fort Stockton            83  61  88  63 /  50  50  20  10
Guadalupe Pass           79  59  81  59 /  20  10   0   0
Hobbs                    73  55  84  56 /  60  20  20  10
Marfa                    85  52  82  50 /  40  20  20  20
Midland Intl Airport     75  60  83  62 /  70  30  10  10
Odessa                   75  60  84  63 /  70  30  10  10
Wink                     80  60  88  61 /  50  30  10  10

&&

.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
NM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...93
LONG TERM....93
AVIATION...93

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 20, 11:42 AM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1142 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ045-201715-
Gaines TX-
1142 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN GAINES COUNTY
THROUGH 1215 PM CDT...

At 1142 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Seminole, moving north at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Seminole, Seagraves, Seagraves Airport, Loop, and Gaines County Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3268 10254 3274 10277 3296 10266 3296 10228
TIME...MOT...LOC 1642Z 200DEG 29KT 3282 10261

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 11:50 AM CDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1150 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ050-201715-
Andrews TX-
1150 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL ANDREWS COUNTY THROUGH
1215 PM CDT...

At 1150 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southwest of Andrews, moving north at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Andrews, Florey, and Andrews County Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3209 10255 3216 10277 3252 10260 3242 10222
TIME...MOT...LOC 1650Z 200DEG 29KT 3222 10261

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 12:00 PM CDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1200 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ051-061-062-201730-
Midland TX-Martin TX-Ector TX-
1200 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL ECTOR...
SOUTHEASTERN ANDREWS...NORTHWESTERN MIDLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN MARTIN
COUNTIES THROUGH 1230 PM CDT...

At 1159 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Midland International Air and Space Port, or near Midland, moving
northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Midland, Odessa, Midland International Air and Space Port, Warfield,
and Midland Airpark.

This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 126 and 138.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3185 10214 3194 10233 3209 10224 3209 10221
      3213 10221 3220 10217 3211 10194
TIME...MOT...LOC 1659Z 208DEG 29KT 3197 10219

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 12:09 PM CDT, 1 hour 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1209 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ069-201745-
Upton TX-
1209 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL UPTON COUNTY THROUGH
1245 PM CDT...

At 1208 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Rankin, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Upton
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3111 10206 3121 10228 3157 10222 3143 10178
TIME...MOT...LOC 1708Z 208DEG 29KT 3126 10211

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 12:14 PM CDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1214 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ068-075-201745-
Pecos TX-Crane TX-
1214 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL PECOS...
SOUTHEASTERN WARD AND NORTHWESTERN CRANE COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 PM
CDT...

At 1214 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles east of Grandfalls, or 18 miles west of Crane, moving northeast
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Imperial.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3125 10261 3130 10277 3156 10269 3148 10241
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 211DEG 25KT 3135 10266

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 12:34 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1234 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ068-075-201800-
Pecos TX-Crane TX-
1234 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL PECOS AND CENTRAL
CRANE COUNTIES THROUGH 100 PM CDT...

At 1234 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles southeast of Grandfalls, or 19 miles southwest of Crane, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Crane, Imperial, Cordona Lake, and Crane County Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3103 10259 3115 10284 3159 10261 3145 10232
      3144 10232
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 210DEG 36KT 3123 10263

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

KLG

The office that day

Everything else NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 11:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFEctor30 min
May 20, 11:36 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFCrane, Ector24 min
May 20, 11:42 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFGaines33 min
May 20, 11:50 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFAndrews25 min
May 20, 12:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFMidland30 min
May 20, 12:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFUpton36 min
May 20, 12:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFCrane31 min
May 20, 12:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFCrane26 min
May 20, 12:41 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFAndrews, Ector3 hr
May 20, 1:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFReagan34 min
May 20, 2:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFBorden34 min
May 20, 2:39 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFGlasscock, Reagan3 hr
May 20, 3:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio37 min
May 20, 3:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster20 min
May 20, 3:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos33 min
May 20, 4:11 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos3 hr
May 20, 4:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos32 min
May 20, 4:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster26 min
May 20, 4:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos33 min
May 20, 4:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFPecos31 min
May 20, 4:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFPecos27 min
May 20, 5:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos, Terrell48 min
May 20, 5:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos18 min
May 20, 5:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos, Terrell29 min
May 20, 6:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos, Terrell65 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Texas, 2026Every flash flood warning 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.