A shortwave that turned into a baggy trough over eastern Texas provided Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley with several rounds of showers and storms June 3rd through June 5th. Large hail fell in a storm just northwest of Rio Grande City on June 3rd before turning into a sub-severe line of showers and storms across the populated Rio Grande Valley.
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.
A shortwave that turned into a baggy trough over eastern Texas provided Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley with several rounds of showers and storms June 3rd through June 5th. Large hail fell in a storm just northwest of Rio Grande City on June 3rd before turning into a sub-severe line of showers and storms across the populated Rio Grande Valley.
Northwesterly flow aloft on the southwestern side of the trough led to several more showers and storms across the eastern half of Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley on June 4th. The storms headed south from Corpus Christi's area and moved along the coast of Kenedy and Willacy Counties before moving southwestward into Cameron County where it produced very large hail, up to 2.5 in diameter, and 80 mph wind gusts at Valley International Airport in Harlingen. Additional storms flared up in Hidalgo County and produced 1 hail.
The storms on June 5th followed a similar script to June 4th with storms along the coast of Kenedy and Willacy Counties before developing inland. While the storms weren't as strong, they still produced large hail in northern Cameron County and 50 to 60 mph wind gusts near Brownsville.
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 Jun 3, 5:45 PM CST, 1 hour earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Brownsville TX 645 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Sunday night) Issued at 213 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 Mid-level vort max/shortwave over the Mexican state of Coahuila will continue tracking east-southeastward overnight. This feature along with the LFQ of a 70-80 kt jet streak will interact with MLCAPEs of around 3500-4000 J/kg across northeastern Mexico to produce scattered to numerous thunderstorms this evening across initially the higher terrain of Mexico. Given a fairly broad area of 40-45 kt of 0-6 km shear, expect these thunderstorm multicell clusters to eventually grow and organize into an MCS as it nears the Rio Grande Plains by 01-03Z this evening. While large hail will initially be possible across mainly Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr counties, the overall main threat tonight across the CWA will be from damaging winds from bowing segments within the eastward-moving squall line/LEWP. The various CAM guidance over the past day or two has been quite persistent with depicting a potential bowing MCS affecting much of the CWA tonight. SPC currently has only Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr counties within a Slight Risk (earlier the entire CWA was under a Slight Risk). Another thing that has been consistent is a rapid weakening of this MCS by 06-09Z early Sunday morning. This is likely due to increasing MLCIN values and more stable conditions as the MCS tracks east of I-69C. WPC has areas generally west of I-69C in a Maringal risk of excessive rainfall through Sunday morning and across the remainder of the CWA through Sunday night. This is line with prior thinking and the 12Z HREF guidance which is depicting localized PMM QPF values of 2-3 inches possible across the Rio Grande Plains/Brush Country tonight and areas generally east of I-69C on Sunday afternoon/evening. More slow-moving storms are expected during the day and overnight hours on Sunday. Rain chances on Sunday may be quite limited through much of the day given the passage of the morning MCS. However, the airmass is not expected to be totally worked over...at least across the eastern one- half of the CWA. This will tend to allow a somewhat active seabreeze to act upon 2000-2500 MLCAPEs and marginal shear to initiate diurnally-based convection late in the day on Sunday. Lingering convection on Sunday evening is expected as weak upper support will persist with a broad cyclonic flow anchored across East TX. P-ETSS guidance for Sunday depicts tides will remain just below coastal flood advisory criteria. This is in line with the 2-3 ft 8- 9 second period swells peaking right now and slowly decaying through Sunday night. The rip current risk will stay in the moderate range although it will get close to a high risk near the time of low tide this evening. && .LONG TERM... (Monday through next Saturday) Issued at 213 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 The quasi-omega blocking pattern over the CONUS with a somewhat active southern stream over N Mexico and S Texas will keep our area unsettled through at least Tuesday. The high pressure axis that lies between a large trough over the Northeast and a trough over California begins to shift east Wednesday ending up overhead by Saturday increasing the subsidence over our region, resulting in decreasing rain chances and increasing temperatures. Latest model guidance trends remain persistent with GFS/ECMWF showing much higher probability for showers/thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday over the NBM. Considering the deterministic models persistence and WPC maintaining at least quarter inch of QPF, as well as, keeping our County Warning Area (CWA) in a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall Monday and Tuesday will blend in some CONSALL with the NBM which bumps up POPs into the 20-40% range. As the mid-level ridge begins to shift east Wednesday expect more of a sea breeze regime and as subsidence increases Thursday-Saturday POPs trend back down to 10 percent or less. Temperature trends look reasonable with slightly below average highs and lows Monday and Tuesday or generally in the upper 80s to mid 90s and upper 60s to lower 70s respectively. Wednesday through next weekend a warming trend commences and it will feel more likely June in Deep South Texas with highs climbing well into the 90s nearing 100 degrees west of I 69C while lows will be steaming in the low to mid 70s to near 80 as you travel close to the coast. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 637 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 While expecting mostly VFR conditions for most of the TAF period, anticipating the arrival of a squall line that will makes its way through Deep South Texas tonight proves to be difficult. Storms appear to be trying to fire up sooner than expected by the models so timing of the weather has been brought forward to match. There is still some uncertainty on how fast the squall line will push through the area. The showers and thunderstorms associated with the squall line could result in low end MVFR to IFR conditions at times. Thunderstorms that produce heavier rains could also lead to LIFR conditions due to reduced visibilities as well. Winds could also be enhanced in these storms as well. && .MARINE... Issued at 213 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 Tonight through Sunday night...Swells initiated from TD Arlene are peaking right now at 2-3 ft with 8-9 second periods. Swells should continue to slowly decay through Sun night as Arlene continues to weaken and as the overall gradient across the Gulf of Mexico weakens. Monday through Saturday...Marine conditions remain very mid-summer like as a weak pressure fields persist over the entire Gulf of Mexico. A Light to occasional moderate southeasterly wind regime and a steady state slight to flat sea with a lowering swell period is expected for much of next week. Scattered showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday become isolated Wednesday through next weekend. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... BROWNSVILLE 74 90 73 90 / 20 30 10 30 HARLINGEN 71 91 70 91 / 20 20 10 30 MCALLEN 72 90 71 91 / 30 30 20 30 RIO GRANDE CITY 70 90 69 92 / 60 20 20 20 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 77 85 77 85 / 20 10 10 20 BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL 73 88 73 88 / 20 20 10 20 && .BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...80-MB LONG TERM....59-GB AVIATION...64-Katz
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Brownsville TX 424 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 TXZ248>255-351-353>355-451-454-455-042130- Zapata-Jim Hogg-Brooks-Inland Kenedy-Starr-Southern Hidalgo- Inland Willacy-Inland Cameron-Coastal Kenedy-Northern Hidalgo- Coastal Willacy-Coastal Cameron-Kenedy Island-Willacy Island- Cameron Island- 424 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Deep South Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight There is a Moderate Risk of rip currents at the beaches of South Padre Island and at Boca Chica Beach. There is a Slight Risk of severe weather in the Rio Grande Plains and a Marginal Risk of severe weather across the rest of Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, with the main threats being damaging wind gusts and large hail. There is also a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall for the Rio Grande Plains, western Brush Country, and Upper Rio Grande Valley tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Minor coastal flooding is possible Sunday morning. There is a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall for the Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas the next several days. Locally heavy rainfall is possible each afternoon and evening through Tuesday and could lead to nuisance flooding. There is a Moderate Risk of rip currents at the beaches of South Padre Island and at Boca Chica Beach Sunday. An elevated risk of rip currents is possible into early next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. GMZ130-132-135-150-155-170-175-042130- 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- Gulf waters from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande out 20 nm- Gulf waters from Baffin Bay to Port Mansfield out 20 nm- Gulf waters from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande extending from 20 to 60 nm- Gulf waters from Baffin Bay to Port Mansfield extending from 20 to 60 nm- 424 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of The Gulf of Mexico and The Laguna Madre. .DAY ONE...Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
708 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023
TXZ248-249-040100-
Jim Hogg TX-Zapata TX-
708 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Jim Hogg
and Zapata Counties through 800 PM CDT...
At 708 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Falcon Mesa, or 7 miles southwest of Zapata, moving northeast at
45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Zapata, Bustamante, Medina, Zapata High School, Zapata County Fire
Department, Randado, Escobas, Zapata Middle School, South Fork
Estates and Siesta Shores.
This includes US Highway 83 between mile markers 760 and 782.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for
Deep South Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2718 9854 2667 9920 2672 9921 2675 9924
2679 9924 2682 9926 2685 9927 2686 9929
2687 9932 2688 9933 2692 9933 2693 9937
2694 9939 2727 9904 2727 9880 2734 9880
TIME...MOT...LOC 0008Z 227DEG 44KT 2685 9937
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
64/KatzSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
720 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023
TXZ252-040100-
Starr TX-
720 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Jim Hogg
and central Starr Counties through 800 PM CDT...
At 720 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
North Escobares, or over Roma, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Rio Grande City, Roma, Escobares, El Sauz, La Rosita, Los Alvarez,
Fort Ringgold County Park, Garceno, Starr County Sheriffs Office and
Roma City Hall.
This includes US Highway 83 between mile markers 800 and 824.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for
Deep South Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2647 9909 2648 9910 2679 9873 2678 9866
2657 9846 2634 9879 2637 9880 2637 9882
2636 9884 2637 9886 2635 9890 2637 9890
2638 9892 2639 9893 2637 9895 2640 9896
2639 9901 2641 9903 2640 9906 2646 9910
TIME...MOT...LOC 0020Z 234DEG 28KT 2645 9899
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
64/KatzSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023
TXZ248-040115-
Zapata TX-
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 3 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Zapata
County through 815 PM CDT...
At 732 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of San Ygnacio, moving southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
San Ygnacio.
This includes US Highway 83 between mile markers 738 and 758.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for
Deep South Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2709 9943 2711 9944 2713 9943 2715 9944
2718 9943 2727 9945 2732 9937 2727 9933
2727 9904 2694 9939 2696 9939 2698 9938
2702 9942 2701 9943 2702 9945 2706 9945
TIME...MOT...LOC 0032Z 316DEG 31KT 2694 9948
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
64/KatzThe Brownsville radar (KBRO), 156 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:45 UTC.
12 hail, 7 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported estimated ping pong size hail on FM 3167 in Rio Grande City with a picture on social media. Time estimated from radar.
The ASOS station at Valley International Airport (KHRL) gusted above 58 mph for at least 12 minutes from 7:19PM CDT until 7:31PM CDT. The strongest gust of 82 mph was recorded at 7:31PM CDT.
An NWS Employee sent in a picture of a power pole leaning on Grimes Rd east of the Fire Station. Time estimated by radar and the wind gust recorded at Valley International Airport (KHRL) during the event.
An NWS employee reported several large tree limbs down near the intersection of S Travis Street and W Landrum Street in San Benito. Timing based on radar.
A member of the public shared a picture of a hail stone around 2 inches in diameter. Time estimated by the report and radar.
An off-duty NWS Employee noted between one and two dozen medium to large limbs of mostly mesquite trees blown down along Interstate 69E between exits 18 and 12. Time estimated from other reports and radar.
A member of the public reported quarter sized hail at 8:07 PM in north Brownsville through social media.
Member of the public shared a picture of hail with an estimated size of 2 inches from the corner of FM1421 and FM1732 in Cameron County. Time estimated by radar.
A member of the public reported pea and nickel sized hail at the Brownsville Flea Market around 8:11 PM. Time estimated by the time of the report and radar.
A member of the public recorded a video showing quarter sized hail and gusty winds at a self car wash at the intersection of Canton and Raul Longoria.
Member of the public shared pictures of three hail stones all larger than a quarter. They were estimated to be about the size of a golf ball. Time estimated by radar.
Member of the public shared pictures of three hail stones all larger than a quarter. They were estimated to be about the size of a golf ball. Time estimated by radar.
Trained spotter called to report half dollar sized hail at Riverbend Resort in Brownsville, TX.
Member of the public shared a picture of a hail stone estimated to be around 2 inches. Timing based on radar.
Member of the public shared a picture of quarter size hail in the San Benito area. Timing based report given by the public and radar.
An NWS employee reported hail of penny to nickel size around 3:33PM CDT northeast of Los Fresnos.
Canopy lifted from a tented play area at the Centro Cultural of Cameron Park, per pictures from the Emergency Manager.
Member of the public shared a picture of a telephone pole snapped in half near Perez Elementary School at the corner of Renfro Blvd and Shidler Drive in Brownsville. Timing based on radar.
Member of the public shared a picture of large palm tress down across the westbound lane of Coffee Road, near Casa de Oro. Several pieces of private fencing were knocked down as a result of the downed palm trees. Timing based on radar.
Members of the public shared videos of Mexico Blvd, just north of the intersection with Sam Perl Blvd, under the railroad tracks with an estimated 2 feet of water. One car was stranded and flooded in the video. The car and flooding was still there an hour later showing the car still stranded.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, June 2023
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: 1093107, 1093128, 1093120, 1093140, 1093141, 1117118, 1093109, 1093110, 1093111, 1093112, 1093113, 1093114, 1093115, 1093116, 1093117, 1093118, 1093121, 1093122, 1093124, 1093106.