On May 16th, a shortwave trough moved eastward across Texas providing an opportunity for thunderstorms to develop in a very unstable and moist environment. Several convective boundaries were in play, but the main event revolved around the line of storms that bowed out and produced strong winds and frequent lightning.
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.
On May 16th, a shortwave trough moved eastward across Texas providing an opportunity for thunderstorms to develop in a very unstable and moist environment. Several convective boundaries were in play, but the main event revolved around the line of storms that bowed out and produced strong winds and frequent lightning. One early morning lightning strike burned down a large portion of a condominium complex on South Padre Island, leaving several million dollars in damage behind.
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 May 16, 5:24 AM CST, 1 hour 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Brownsville TX 624 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020 .SHORT TERM (Now through Sunday): Satellite and radar images show scattered showers and thunderstorms...some possibly strong...continue to develop across portions of the CWA early this morning even as the outflow boundary moving southward across the coastal waters continues to outrun the convection offshore the lower Texas coast. The latest HRRR indicates convection developing across extreme southeast portions of deep south Texas this morning. Rain chances will linger across the coastal sections of the CWA this afternoon into early this evening as a 500mb shortwave trough across northeast Texas extending into southwest Texas continue to provide instability across the area. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the coastal sections of deep south Texas Sunday as the 500mb shortwave trough lingers across the Texas coast. Temperatures will be near normal today with the cloud cover and slightly cooler air with the rain cooled airmass in the wake of the outflow boundary. Temperatures will be slightly warmer Sunday even with a light easterly flow at the surface. .LONG TERM (Sunday Night through Friday): Rain chances will diminish across south Texas Sun night into Monday as a 500mb ridge across northern Mexico and west Texas provides northerly winds aloft and subsidence increases across the area. In addition...low to mid level moisture will diminish across southwest Texas Monday into Tuesday as the upper level ridge moves eastward across the state. The 500mb ridge across the central United States Tuesday will become elongated Wednesday between the 500mb low/trough across the eastern U.S. and a 500mb trough across the western United States. A weak 500mb shortwave trough is progged to move across southwest Texas Wed night and this will provide some convection across the Mexican plateau. A 500mb ridge will develop across west-central Texas Friday in the wake of the upper level trough moving eastward. && .MARINE (Now through Sunday)...Seas were near 6 feet with north to northwest winds near 18 knots at 5:20 am at buoy020. An outflow boundary with strong to severe thunderstorms continues to move southward across the coastal waters early this morning. Buoy020 reported wind gusts near 45 knots earlier with the squall line. Once the convective boundary moves through the coastal waters this morning...winds will shift back to the south to southeast this afternoon. Moderate south to southeast winds will back to the east to southeast tonight with surface high pressure across central Texas. Light east to southeast winds will prevail across the coastal waters Sunday with weak high pressure across the northwest Gulf of Mexico. Sunday night through Wednesday...The pressure gradient will remain weak across the lower Texas coast Sun night into Monday. Light east to southeast winds will prevail across the coastal waters Sun night into Monday. Winds will veer to the south Tuesday but remain light with low pressure across northwest Texas. Light to moderate south to southeast winds should prevail across the western Gulf of Mexico Wednesday. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL 87 77 87 74 / 70 10 20 10 BROWNSVILLE 89 78 91 74 / 50 10 20 10 HARLINGEN 88 76 91 72 / 60 10 20 10 MCALLEN 89 77 93 73 / 60 10 20 10 RIO GRANDE CITY 89 75 95 73 / 50 10 10 10 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 85 79 84 76 / 70 10 20 10 && .BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for GMZ170-175. && This product is also available on the web at: HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RGV 61/65/60/52
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Brownsville TX 532 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020 TXZ248>257-351-353-171045- Zapata-Jim Hogg-Brooks-Inland Kenedy-Starr-Southern Hidalgo- Inland Willacy-Inland Cameron-Coastal Willacy-Coastal Cameron- Coastal Kenedy-Northern Hidalgo- 532 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Deep South Texas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong thunderstorms are possible across southern and eastern portions of deep south Texas this morning. Some thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall which will provide minor flooding in areas with poor drainage. There is a high risk of rip currents along area beaches. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday An elevated risk of rip currents is possible at local beaches Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. GMZ130-132-135-150-155-170-175-171045- 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- 532 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of The Gulf of Mexico and The Laguna Madre. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will continue to move southward across the lower Texas coastal waters this morning. Damaging winds and small hail as well as frequent cloud to water lightning strikes can be expected with this line of storms. Small craft advisories are in effect for the far offshore waters of the lower Texas coast today through 7 pm this evening for high seas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. Castillo
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
606 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
TXZ252-253-161145-
Southern Hidalgo TX-Starr TX-
606 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL HIDALGO AND SOUTH
CENTRAL STARR COUNTIES UNTIL 645 AM CDT...
At 606 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rio Grande City, moving east at 25 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Rio Grande City, Sullivan City, La Joya, Los Ebanos, Garciasville, La
Grulla, John F Kennedy Elementary School, La Victoria, Los Alvarez
and Fort Ringgold County Park.
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 2625 9856 2624 9855 2622 9856 2626 9859
2625 9862 2626 9862 2624 9864 2624 9867
2626 9868 2627 9872 2629 9871 2630 9875
2631 9874 2633 9875 2633 9879 2637 9880
2635 9890 2641 9893 2639 9845 2620 9848
TIME...MOT...LOC 1106Z 276DEG 20KT 2631 9885
CBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
631 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
TXZ250-251-161215-
Brooks TX-Inland Kenedy TX-
631 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN KENEDY AND
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS COUNTIES UNTIL 715 AM CDT...
At 631 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Falfurrias, moving east at 15 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Falfurrias, Airport Road Addition, Cantu Addition, Flowella, Brooks
County Airport and Hidalgo City Park.
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 2721 9798 2721 9797 2723 9795 2724 9792
2724 9788 2708 9777 2696 9824 2712 9832
2726 9805 2726 9799
TIME...MOT...LOC 1131Z 248DEG 12KT 2711 9811
CBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
631 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
TXZ252-353-161215-
Northern Hidalgo TX-Starr TX-
631 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN HIDALGO AND
NORTHEASTERN STARR COUNTIES UNTIL 715 AM CDT...
At 631 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Santa Catarina, or 14 miles northwest of Mccook, moving east at 15
mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
La Gloria, La Reforma, Santa Catarina, San Isidro, Santa Elena,
Delmita and Diamond O Ranch Airport.
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 2641 9880 2674 9875 2678 9840 2678 9828
2649 9843 2649 9847 2639 9852
TIME...MOT...LOC 1131Z 248DEG 13KT 2658 9860
BRADYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
656 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
TXZ252-253-353-161245-
Southern Hidalgo TX-Northern Hidalgo TX-Starr TX-
656 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN HIDALGO AND
SOUTHEASTERN STARR COUNTIES UNTIL 745 AM CDT...
At 656 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
La Joya, moving east at 15 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Mission, Palmview, Penitas, Sullivan City, La Joya, Palmhurst, Los
Ebanos, Sharyland, Mccook and Alton.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 2613 9833 2617 9834 2615 9835 2617 9836
2616 9839 2620 9844 2623 9845 2622 9848
2620 9848 2625 9856 2622 9856 2626 9859
2624 9867 2626 9868 2627 9872 2628 9870
2630 9873 2649 9864 2654 9819 2610 9830
TIME...MOT...LOC 1156Z 275DEG 15KT 2631 9849
CBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
722 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
TXZ250-251-161300-
Brooks TX-Inland Kenedy TX-
722 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 722 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southwest of Sarita, moving east at 30 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Falfurrias, Sarita, Falfurrias Junior High School, Airport Road
Addition, Kenedy County Sheriffs Office, Falfurrias Fire Station,
Pleasant Park, Flowella, Brooks County Airport and Cantu Addition.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 2725 9764 2719 9759 2710 9757 2704 9758
2701 9826 2721 9827 2725 9799 2721 9799
2721 9797 2723 9795 2724 9792 2724 9789
2725 9785 2724 9784 2725 9782 2727 9782
2728 9775 2726 9773 2727 9771 2728 9765
TIME...MOT...LOC 1222Z 256DEG 25KT 2712 9788
BRADYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
729 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
TXZ251-254-351-161330-
Inland Willacy TX-Coastal Kenedy TX-Inland Kenedy TX-
729 AM CDT Sat May 16 2020
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 729 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rudolph, or 13 miles south of Armstrong, moving east at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Norias, Rudolph and Yturria.
LAT...LON 2664 9733 2663 9734 2654 9797 2679 9798
2706 9738 2690 9737 2691 9750 2688 9747
2689 9750 2685 9746 2681 9750 2661 9729
TIME...MOT...LOC 1229Z 258DEG 19KT 2673 9776
BRADYThe Brownsville radar (KBRO), 32 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:39 UTC.
2 flood, 1 lightning, 1 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Lightning strike resulted in a structure fire at Gulfport Condominiums on South Padre Island. The fire was reported around 7 AM CDT. Time of strike was estimated by radar.
The broadcast media reported minor flooding near Granjeno.
There were a couple of stalled vehicles reported on a roadway in Mission reported by the public.
ASOS reported a wind gust of 61 mph in eastern Cameron County.
Picture showing minor flooding at the intersection of Villa Maria Blvd and W. Washington St.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, May 2020
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: 898021, 898019, 898018, 898022, 898020.