Alert archive / Texas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 87, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX

May 21, 2026Pecos County, Texas

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 21, 2026, 2:54 PM CDT for Pecos County, Texas. It was in force for 66 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 21, 2026, 2:54 PM CDT (19:54 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2026, 4:00 PM CDT
In force
66 min
Issued by
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.5 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Pecos County, TX

The radar

The Midland/Odessa radar (KMAF), 139 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:54 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

Midland Regional, TX (KMAF), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 139 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, Midland Regional, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1423 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, Midland Regional, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 131 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
1423 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-25 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
551 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
131 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
144 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
4.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 21, 2:42 PM CDT, 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
  • Isolated to scattered showers/storms continue through this evening across the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos. A storm or two may be strong to severe, posing a threat for localized flash flooding, damaging winds, and large hail.
  • Daily afternoon/evening storm chances through next week, with locally heavy rainfall possible.
Area forecast discussion, May 21, 2:42 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

- Isolated to scattered showers/storms continue through this evening
  across the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos. A storm or two
  may be strong to severe, posing a threat for localized flash
  flooding, damaging winds, and large hail.

- Daily afternoon/evening storm chances through next week, with
  locally heavy rainfall possible.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Friday night)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

Rain chances remain in the forecast during the Short Term period. A
few storms have developed over the Permian Basin ahead of a dryline
extending from eastern NM south toward the Big Bend. Some of these
may produce large hail, damaging winds, and localized flash
flooding. Storm activity gradually begins to diminish and shift
eastward this evening, with rain chances mostly ending around, or
just after midnight. Temperatures then slip into the 50s and 60s
tonight.

Friday afternoon, the dryline sets up within the western Permian
Basin, extending down toward the Big Bend. Meanwhile, additional
shortwave impulses will continue to pass over our region, embedded
within a large-scale trough over the western US. As such, isolated
shower/storm development will be possible over the eastern Permian
Basin and the Lower Trans Pecos, where rain chances range from 10-
20%. Given drier conditions and sunnier skies overall, temperatures
Friday afternoon are generally expected to top out in the upper 80s
to mid 90s. Overnight lows again range within he 50s to 60s, with
60s being more prevalent than the night before.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through Wednesday)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

Upper level troughing persists over the western and central US at
the start of the Long Term period. Sunday into Monday, a closed low
develops within the mid levels and sets up over Texas. Several
rounds of shortwave impulses look to traverse over our area through
the next few days. At the surface, the dryline also looks to
oscillate near to within our region through at least the middle of
next week. Lift from both the shortwaves and along the dryline shall
combine with moisture ahead of the dryline to support at least
isolated shower/storm development most afternoons. Storm development
and location will depend on collocation of forcing from shortwaves
and the dryline. As such, there remains high uncertainty regarding
forecast rainfall totals and the potential for severe weather
heading into the upcoming week. Temperatures are progged to range
within the 80s to 90s across the region each afternoon, then dip
into the 50s and 60s during the overnight hours.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

Scattered TS is currently moving east of the terminals though more
is expected to develop later this afternoon. Only enough
confidence for PROB30 at MAF/FST though TS is also possible at INK
and PEQ. Expect mostly SHRA/TS with LTG and gusty and erratic winds
the main threats. IFR/MVFR conditions have either become VFR or
will become VFR very shortly and should remain VFR outside of any
showers. Light mist lowering VIS to 3-5SM is possible near 12Z but
not included in the forecast due to low confidence.

Hennig

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring               59  90  61  85 /  30  20  20  30
Carlsbad                 58  93  59  91 /  10   0   0  10
Dryden                   63  90  65  87 /  20  20  10  50
Fort Stockton            61  91  63  89 /  20  10  10  30
Guadalupe Pass           58  82  60  83 /  10   0   0  10
Hobbs                    55  91  57  87 /  20   0   0  20
Marfa                    49  84  52  82 /  20   0  10  40
Midland Intl Airport     60  90  63  86 /  20   0  10  20
Odessa                   60  90  63  86 /  20   0  10  20
Wink                     59  93  62  90 /  20   0   0  10

&&

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

SHORT TERM...95
LONG TERM....95
AVIATION...10

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 21, 12:27 PM CDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1227 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0411 PM     Hail             7 NW Altuda             30.38N 103.53W
05/20/2026  M1.00 Inch       Brewster           TX   Broadcast Media

            Quarter sized hail was reported by the
            Broadcast Media and by a Meteorologist from
            Canada at and around the US 67 and US 90
            Interchange.

&&
Special weather statement, May 21, 12:59 PM CDT, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1259 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

TXZ051-052-062-063-211845-
Midland TX-Martin TX-Glasscock TX-Howard TX-
1259 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GLASSCOCK...
NORTHEASTERN MIDLAND...SOUTHEASTERN MARTIN AND SOUTHWESTERN HOWARD
COUNTIES THROUGH 145 PM CDT...

At 1258 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Stanton, or 8 miles north of Greenwood, moving southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Big Spring, Stanton, Lomax, Courtney, Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle
Airpark, Stanton Municipal Aiport, and Elbow.

This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 148 and 182.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3213 10197 3244 10176 3230 10137 3190 10178
TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 303DEG 11KT 3214 10189

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

95
Special weather statement, May 21, 1:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
149 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

TXZ069-211915-
Upton TX-
149 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN UPTON COUNTY
THROUGH 215 PM CDT...

At 149 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
McCamey, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
McCamey, Rankin, Upton County Airport, and King Mountain.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3108 10195 3109 10229 3129 10230 3129 10192
TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 268DEG 17KT 3111 10221

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

10
Special weather statement, May 21, 2:08 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
208 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

TXZ069-211945-
Upton TX-
208 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN UPTON COUNTY
THROUGH 245 PM CDT...

At 208 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 18
miles east of Crane, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 northeastern Upton
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3140 10215 3153 10218 3165 10192 3141 10182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1908Z 251DEG 9KT 3149 10207

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

10
Special weather statement, May 21, 2:29 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
229 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

TXZ075-212000-
Pecos TX-
229 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PECOS COUNTY THROUGH 300
PM CDT...

At 229 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles east of Fort Stockton, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.

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

This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 271 and 291.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3079 10267 3096 10272 3107 10244 3082 10232
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 254DEG 15KT 3090 10262

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

10

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 11:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFBrewster45 min
May 21, 10:06 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFAndrews3 hr
May 21, 10:19 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFMitchell3 hr
May 21, 12:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFHoward46 min
May 21, 1:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFGlasscock, Howard, Martin, Midland63 min
May 21, 1:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFUpton26 min
May 21, 2:08 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFUpton37 min
May 21, 2:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFGlasscock64 min
May 21, 2:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFPecos31 min
May 21, 3:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFPecos38 min
May 21, 4:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFYoakum38 min
May 21, 6:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFPresidio44 min
May 21, 6:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFCulberson49 min
May 21, 5:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFLea55 min
May 21, 5:16 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFLea3 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Texas, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.