Hail in Texas, April 21, 2016

Name: Hail in Texas, April 21, 2016
Start: 2016-04-21T15:02
End: 2016-04-21T15:02
Location: Texas

April 21, 2016 · NWS BRO · 1 event in 1 county or zone

The combination of a southward moving boundary across South Texas and an inland moving sea breeze supported the development of thunderstorms across Cameron County. Several of the storms became strong to severe and briefly produced quarter size hail near Olmito.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BRO wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Brownsville, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 21, 2:37 PM CST, 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 21, 2:37 PM CST, 25 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
337 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

.SHORT TERM  /TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...LATEST SATELLITE IMAGERY
SHOWS AN OUTFLOW BOUNDARY EXTENDING FROM NORTH OF LAREDO TO NEAR
KINGSVILLE THIS AFTERNOON. THE COMBINATION OF A SOUTHWARD MOVING
BOUNDARY ACROSS SOUTH TEXAS...AN INLAND MOVING SEA BREEZE EXTENDING
FROM BROWNSVILLE TO NEAR CORPUS CHRISTI AND DAYTIME HEATING WILL
SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISOLATED TO SCATTERED CONVECTION FOR THE
REST OF THE AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING. BROWNSVILLE RADAR CURRENTLY
SHOWS ISOLATED ACTIVITY ACROSS KENEDY AND WILLACY COUNTIES. THE
STORM PREDICTION CENTER /SPC/ HAS ALL OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS UNDER A
MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH TONIGHT. THE MAIN THREATS
FROM ANY OF THE STORMS THAT DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING
WILL BE SMALL HAIL...GUSTY WINDS AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL.

THE 21Z HRRR INDICATES CONVECTION WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ACROSS
THE COASTAL COUNTIES THROUGH LATE AFTERNOON WITH ADDITIONAL
DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ZAPATA AND STARR THIS EVENING. THE 12Z NAM KEEPS
MOST OF THE CONVECTION OVER THE GULF WATERS...THE 12Z GFS SHOWS A
LITTLE CONVECTION OVER THE VALLEY...AND THE 12Z ECMWF SHOWS MORE
ROBUST CONVECTION ACROSS THE AREA. BASED ON CURRENT TRENDS WILL GO
ABOVE MET/MAV GUIDANCE FOR POPS THROUGH THE REST OF THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING.

THE APPROACH AND PASSAGE OF A 500 MB DISTURBANCE ALONG WITH A WEAK
COLD FRONT SAGGING SOUTH WILL GENERATE ISOLATED SCATTERED CONVECTION
OVER PORTIONS OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS TONIGHT. THE COLD FRONT STALLS
OVER DEEP SOUTH TEXAS FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. POOLING MOISTURE IN
ADVANCE OF THIS SURFACE FEATURE WILL COMBINE WITH DAYTIME
HEATING...AND ENHANCED SEA BREEZE EFFECT...AND ANOTHER WEAK 500 MB
DISTURBANCE TO PRODUCE MAINLY SCATTERED CONVECTION ON FRIDAY. LOW
TEMPERATURES TONIGHT WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE LOWER 70S. HIGH
TEMPERATURES FRIDAY WILL RANGE FROM THE LOWER 80S NEAR THE COAST TO
THE UPPER ACROSS THE UPPER VALLEY. LOW TEMPERATURES WILL BE SLIGHTLY
COOLER FRIDAY NIGHT WITH TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE MID 60S TO
AROUND 70.
&&

.MARINE...NOW THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...BUOY 42020 REPORTED NORTH WINDS
AROUND 2 KNOTS GUSTING TO AROUND 4 KNOTS WITH SEAS SLIGHTLY UNDER
3.3 FEET WITH A PERIOD OF 7 SECONDS AT 15 CDT/19 UTC. A WEAK
GRADIENT ALONG THE LOWER TEXAS COAST WILL MAINTAIN LIGHT TO MODERATE
WINDS AND LOW TO MODERATE SEAS THROUGH THE PERIOD. NO SMALL CRAFT
EXERCISE CAUTION OR SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ANTICIPATED.
&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL  73  80  70  79 /  20  30  10  30
BROWNSVILLE          73  83  70  82 /  20  30  20  30
HARLINGEN            72  84  69  83 /  20  30  10  30
MCALLEN              73  87  70  85 /  30  30  10  40
RIO GRANDE CITY      72  88  70  86 /  30  30  20  50
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND   73  77  71  77 /  20  20  20  20
&&

.BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...NONE.
GM...NONE.
&&

THIS PRODUCT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT:
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RGV

63/61/BILLINGS

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 21, 2:47 PM CST, 15 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
347 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

TXZ248>257-222100-
ZAPATA-JIM HOGG-BROOKS-KENEDY-STARR-HIDALGO-INLAND WILLACY-
INLAND CAMERON-COASTAL WILLACY-COASTAL CAMERON-
347 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF DEEP SOUTH
TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT THE BEACHES OF SOUTH
PADRE ISLAND AND AT BOCA CHICA BEACH.

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...PRODUCING HAIL AND DAMAGING
WINDS...ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING ACROSS
PORTIONS OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

AN ELEVATED RISK OF RIP CURRENTS IS POSSIBLE AT THE LOCAL BEACHES
SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ANY OBSERVATIONS OF HAIL AND DAMAGE PRODUCE BY STRONG WINDS SHOULD
BE REPORTED TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE IN BROWNSVILLE.

GMZ130-132-135-150-155-170-175-222100-
LAGUNA MADRE FROM THE PORT OF BROWNSVILLE TO THE ARROYO COLORADO-
LAGUNA MADRE FROM THE ARROYO COLORADO TO 5 NM NORTH OF PORT
MANSFIELD TX-
LAGUNA MADRE FROM 5 NM NORTH OF PORT MANSFIELD TO BAFFIN BAY TX-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PORT MANSFIELD TO THE RIO GRANDE OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM BAFFIN BAY TO PORT MANSFIELD OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM PORT MANSFIELD TO THE RIO GRANDE EXTENDING FROM 20 TO
60 NM-
WATERS FROM BAFFIN BAY TO PORT MANSFIELD EXTENDING FROM 20 TO
60 NM-
347 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE GULF OF
MEXICO AND THE LAGUNA MADRE.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS PORTIONS
OF THE COASTAL WATERS THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING. SOME OF
THESE STORMS MAY BE STRONG. SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO NEAR 35
KNOTS CAN BE EXPECTED WITH STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORIES MAY BE NEEDED FOR ALL OR PORTIONS OF THE
LOWER TEXAS COASTAL WATERS SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 21, 12:37 PM CST, 2 hours 25 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
137 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

TXZ251-211930-
KENEDY TX-
137 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL KENEDY COUNTY UNTIL 230
PM CDT...

AT 137 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
KENEDY COUNTY WIND FARMS...OR 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF ARMSTRONG...MOVING
SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
KENEDY COUNTY WIND FARMS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY LEAD
TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.

FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO
STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

&&

LAT...LON 2701 9740 2704 9739 2704 9738 2690 9737
      2700 9756 2693 9755 2692 9746 2691 9752
      2689 9746 2680 9751 2690 9738 2680 9735
      2679 9746 2675 9746 2679 9738 2664 9764
      2707 9777 2718 9762
TIME...MOT...LOC 1837Z 320DEG 21KT 2707 9764

CASTILLO

Special weather statement, Apr 21, 1:46 PM CST, 1 hour 16 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
246 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

TXZ254-255-212030-
INLAND WILLACY TX-INLAND CAMERON TX-
246 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WILLACY AND
NORTHWESTERN CAMERON COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT...

AT 246 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
SANTA MONICA...OR NEAR RIO HONDO...MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH.

DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
HARLINGEN...RIO HONDO...PALM VALLEY...PRIMERA...COMBES...VALLEY
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE HARLINGEN...
HARLINGEN SOCCER COMPLEX...PALM VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PALMER
LAASKO ELEMENTARY.

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO
STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 2610 9742 2620 9782 2643 9758 2639 9748
      2622 9741
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 022DEG 13KT 2632 9754

CASTILLO

Special weather statement, Apr 21, 2:34 PM CST, 28 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
334 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

TXZ255-212115-
INLAND CAMERON TX-
334 PM CDT THU APR 21 2016

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL CAMERON COUNTY
UNTIL 415 PM CDT...

AT 333 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
OLMITO...MOVING SOUTH AT 5 MPH.

DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LOS FRESNOS...RANCHO VIEJO...OLMITO...CAMERON PARK...BROWNSVILLE...SAMS
MEMORIAL STADIUM...OLMITO LAKE...SUNRISE MALL...PACE HIGH SCHOOL AND
BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY MAIN BRANCH.

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO
STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 2591 9753 2592 9753 2592 9754 2594 9755
      2593 9756 2594 9758 2596 9758 2596 9760
      2597 9761 2598 9761 2599 9763 2600 9762
      2600 9763 2601 9763 2600 9764 2610 9761
      2606 9742 2589 9752
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 012DEG 5KT 2601 9753

BS

The radar

The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 16 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:03 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Cameron

When: April 21, 3:02 PM CST
Where: Cameron County, 0.45 mi ENE of Olmito
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 26.022, -97.523

Public reported quarter sized hail in Olmito near the intersection of Noble Pine and Chestnut Oak.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, April 2016

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 632092.