Despite April 2018 being largely normal with rainfall, mainly from occasional cold fronts, one distinct local strong to severe storm event developed in the Upper Rio Grande Valley, with gusty winds producing wind damage near Rio Grande City during the evening of April 25th. The line would reach southwestern Hidalgo County before weakening.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BRO wrote it up.
Despite April 2018 being largely normal with rainfall, mainly from occasional cold fronts, one distinct local strong to severe storm event developed in the Upper Rio Grande Valley, with gusty winds producing wind damage near Rio Grande City during the evening of April 25th. The line would reach southwestern Hidalgo County before weakening.
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 25, 5:45 PM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Brownsville TX 645 PM CDT Wed Apr 25 2018 .DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. && .AVIATION...VFR ceilings continue into late this evening as a cold front moves toward the Rio Grande Valley. Scattered thunderstorms are developing along the front into northwestern portions of Deep South Texas. While conditions aren't as favorable in the valley, there is an increasing chance of a few thunderstorms approaching MFE and HRL late this evening into very early tonight, with showers reaching BRO. MVFR ceilings are expected along the front after midnight through Thursday morning before conditions slowly improve. Isolated showers may continue across the lower valley Thursday morning. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 330 PM CDT Wed Apr 25 2018/ SHORT TERM (Tonight through Thursday Night): The main forecast challenge is the advancing cold front and strong weather potential for tonight. SPC places the upper valley under a marginal risk for severe weather tonight, which translates to a 5% chance within 25 miles of any given point in the Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr county area. Moisture, instability, and lift will be present along the front, with gusty winds and small hail possible in the stronger storms that may move into the upper valley from the west this evening and tonight. An isolated severe storm is not out of the question for the upper valley, and the threat would then be strong, gusty winds and large hail. The front is on track to push through the Laredo area and into Zapata county around 9 or 10 pm, and will push through the lower valley in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, Rain and stronger thunderstorm chances are expected to ease as the front progresses southeast. The best chance for unsettled weather and a brief heavy downpour for the lower valley will be right along the front with gusty winds of 30 to 40 mph possible. Look for clearing skies Thursday with mild, mainly seasonal high temperatures in the upper 70s to lower 80s with light northeast winds. Thursday night temperatures will be in the lower to mid 60s with light east winds under partly cloudy skies. LONG TERM (Friday through Wednesday): The 500 mb pattern over the lower 48 states will be dominated by deep troffing/closed lows on the East and West Coasts this weekend. This will in turn maintain pretty decent ridging over the South Central Plains states through Sun. However, the East Coast trough will eventually drift eastwards early next week while the closed 500 mb low over the Pacific NW will open up and elongate out from SW to NE through midweek next week. This will shift the 500 mb ridging towards the East Coast with the South Central Plains states remaining on the western fringes of ridging. As this broad mid level trough axis digs to the southeast, a cold front will push into the central and southern Plains states late in the longer range forecast period possibly setting up for a fropa late next week. Until then expect near to below normal temps to prevail for this weekend, with above normal temps developing next week as the low level WAA strengthens. Some marginal moisture values remain pooled under the 500 mb ridge axis over NE Mexico edging into southern TX. This will likely interact with the diurnal heating to potentially fire up some isold conv for much of the longer range period. No widespread significant rains are expected at this time. Run to run GFS/ECMWF consistency is pretty decent for both the temp and pop trends. The ECMWF has a a warmer and drier bias versus the GFS. Will maintain a general model blend for the longer range outlook. MARINE Tonight through Thursday night: Light to moderate southeast winds will turn to northeast tonight after the passage of a cold front. Light to moderate northeast to east winds will then prevail through Thursday night. Showers and isolated thunderstorms may develop over the marine areas tonight as the cold front moves through, possibly superimposing strong, gusty winds and locally rough seas on the forecast. Small craft advisory conditions will not develop on the broader scale, however. Friday through Monday Night: Weak to moderate surface ridging will remain centered over the Gulf of Mexico which will likely maintain light to moderate SE low level flow across the lower TX marine locations throughout the weekend. However, the PGF appears to strengthen Mon and Tues which could push the Bay and Gulf conditions up close to SCA levels late in the forecast period. && .BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...None. && This product is also available on the web at: HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RGV 56
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Brownsville TX 400 PM CDT Wed Apr 25 2018 TXZ248>257-262100- Zapata-Jim Hogg-Brooks-Kenedy-Starr-Hidalgo-Inland Willacy- Inland Cameron-Coastal Willacy-Coastal Cameron- 400 PM CDT Wed Apr 25 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Deep South Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are anticipated this evening and early tonight over Zapata, Jim Hogg, Brooks, Starr, and Hidalgo Counties. Some of the thunderstorms may be strong to severe, producing large hail and damaging winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday An elevated risk of rip currents is possible at the beaches of South Padre Island and at Boca Chica Beach Monday and Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Any observations of large hail and damage from strong winds this evening and early tonight should be reported to local law enforcement and the National Weather Service office in Brownsville. GMZ130-132-135-150-155-170-175-262100- 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- 400 PM CDT Wed Apr 25 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of The Gulf of Mexico and The Laguna Madre. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Small Craft Advisories may be needed along the Lower Texas Coast on Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
701 PM CDT WED APR 25 2018
TXZ248-249-260045-
Jim Hogg TX-Zapata TX-
701 PM CDT WED APR 25 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR JIM HOGG...NORTHWESTERN STARR AND
ZAPATA COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT...
At 657 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms extending from Zapata to Guerra. These storms are
moving east at around 20 mph and expanding eastward cover a large
portion of Zapata county and west Central Jim Hogg county. Another
area of thunderstorms may approach Hebbronville from the north. All
storms may intensify over the next 30 to 45 minutes.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm. Storms may intensify.
Locations impacted include...
Zapata, Agua Nueva, Bustamante, Medina, Zapata High School, Guerra,
Zapata County Fire Department, Randado, Escobas and Zapata Middle
School.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 2718 9943 2717 9851 2680 9844 2677 9924
2685 9927 2688 9933 2692 9932 2694 9939
2696 9939 2698 9938 2700 9941 2716 9944
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 270DEG 37KT 2688 9886
GBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
740 PM CDT WED APR 25 2018
TXZ248>250-252-260130-
Brooks TX-Jim Hogg TX-Zapata TX-Starr TX-
740 PM CDT WED APR 25 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR JIM HOGG...STARR...CENTRAL BROOKS
AND SOUTHEASTERN ZAPATA COUNTIES UNTIL 830 PM CDT...
At 738 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles southeast of Hebbronville to near New
Falcon. Movement was southeast at 40 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Agua Nueva, El Sauz, Viboras, New Falcon, Guerra, Santa Catarina,
Falcon State Park, La Gloria, Rio Grande City Municipal Airport and
Falcon Heights.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms 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 2731 9852 2727 9852 2726 9838 2715 9803
2637 9874 2658 9917 2662 9918 2733 9858
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 321DEG 37KT 2718 9863 2660 9911
GBThe Brownsville radar (KBRO), 149 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:14 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A newspaper report from Starr County indicated a large restaurant sign blew onto a vehicle and caused an unknown amount of damage to the vehicle during the passage of a thunderstorm in Rio Grande City a little after 8 PM on April 25th.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, April 2018
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: 754072.