Multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms resulted in several large hail and a few damaging wind reports across the region on May 8th. A high-precipitation supercell thunderstorm developed across the Brush Country/Rio Grande Plains by mid afternoon and held together while crossing through the lower/mid 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.
Multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms resulted in several large hail and a few damaging wind reports across the region on May 8th. A high-precipitation supercell thunderstorm developed across the Brush Country/Rio Grande Plains by mid afternoon and held together while crossing through the lower/mid Rio Grande Valley. The supercell produced very large hail across the Brush Country, then dropped a damaging microburst in North McAllen by early evening.
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 8, 12:22 PM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Brownsville TX 122 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE... .SHORT TERM... (Now through Friday night) Issued at 122 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025 Key Messages: - There is a medium to high chance (30-60%) of isolated pockets of 3-5 inches of rain across portions of the region, which may result in an increased threat for flash flooding. - Strong to severe thunderstorms through the late afternoon hours and overnight with a primary threat of damaging wind gusts and large hail. An active short term period is expected through early Friday morning across Deep South Texas and the Gulf waters with strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rainfall. The latest suite of high resolution and probabilistic guidance indicate there is a potential for isolated 3-5 inches of rainfall through early Friday morning given the very rich moisture content across Deep South Texas, mainly along and east of US-281. The HREF 24-hour probability-matched mean also highlights a swatch of localized 3-5 inches through Friday morning across portions of the Lower/Mid Rio Grande Valley and the Northern Ranchlands. For this afternoon and evening, there will be two areas of convection that could pose a threat for severe weather. The first area will be along a weak boundary draped across portions of the Lower to Mid RGV, which will serve as a focus for convective development through the afternoon hours. A favorable environment characterized by high moisture content (PWATs of 2.15” observed with this morning’s 12Z sounding), high instability (MUCAPE values upwards of 3000 J/kg), and modest shear profiles (bulk shear values upwards of 50 knots) would support a damaging wind gusts and hail threat with any severe thunderstorms. However, this morning’s activity may limit the severe potential somewhat. The second area for convective development will be over the Sierra Madre in Mexico late this afternoon and evening as a shortwave approaches, with discrete cells quickly developing as it encounters a highly favorable environment and translate east to southeast. While initial development is expected to be discrete in nature, upscale growth into an MCS or cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms may develop and translate toward the region through late this evening. As the aforementioned shortwave approaches from Northern Mexico, a line of showers and strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to track across Deep South Texas from northwest to southeast late this evening and overnight. With this activity, the main threats are damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall, although some large hail cannot be ruled out over the Upper RGV and Northern Ranchlands. Instances of flash flooding cannot be ruled out into the overnight hours, especially over low-lying or flood-prone areas. Convection should exit the region by Friday morning, with only some activity continuing through early Friday afternoon over the Gulf waters. Otherwise, expect northerly winds to prevail through tomorrow night and mostly sunny/clear skies. Expect lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through next Thursday) Issued at 122 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025 In wake of the frontal passage, generally rain-free conditions and near normal temperatures will prevail over Deep South Texas through the weekend. Above normal temperatures are forecast for most of the week next week with highs in the 90s region wide, and portions of the Upper RGV and Northern Ranchlands realizing highs of 100-101 degrees by mid week. In combination with the humidity, this will result in a minor to moderate heat risk across Deep South Texas. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1238 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025 A mix of IFR and MVFR conditions and variable winds prevail across Deep South Texas early this afternoon. BRO radar currently indicates scattered to numerous SHRA and TSRA across portions of the RGV extending eastward along the coast/over the Gulf waters. IFR to MVFR ceilings are expected through the majority of the TAF period, though some brief periods of VFR ceilings are possible this afternoon. Multiple rounds of convection are possible this afternoon into tonight and will likely impact all three aerodromes. Latest short-term model guidance continues to suggest that scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop over the area through the afternoon. There is increasing confidence that a line of convection upstream will to move southeast through the area tonight into early Friday morning. && .MARINE... Issued at 122 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025 Now through Friday night...Periods of showers and thunderstorms, some severe, are expected through early Friday afternoon over the Gulf waters ahead of the passage of a cold front. Locally enhanced winds and seas are expected within any thunderstorms. East winds will shift to the north and northeast late tonight into tomorrow as the cold front tracks across the region. Small Craft Exercise Caution conditions will be possible in wake of the frontal passage, and low to moderate seas will prevail. Saturday through next Thursday...Generally favorable marine conditions will prevail with low to moderate seas and light to moderate winds through early next week. A tightening pressure gradient will result in increasing winds and seas by mid week, and Small Craft Exercise Caution to Small Craft Advisory conditions will return. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... BROWNSVILLE 71 83 65 83 / 80 40 0 10 HARLINGEN 68 84 63 85 / 70 30 0 10 MCALLEN 71 86 67 87 / 80 30 0 0 RIO GRANDE CITY 69 85 65 84 / 90 20 0 0 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 74 79 71 78 / 80 50 0 10 BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL 71 81 66 82 / 70 40 0 10 && .BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...22-Garcia LONG TERM....22-Garcia AVIATION...63-KC
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
918 AM CDT Thu May 8 2025
TXZ355-081500-
Coastal Cameron TX-
918 AM CDT Thu May 8 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN CAMERON COUNTY
THROUGH 1000 AM CDT...
At 917 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Holly Beach, or 10 miles northwest of South Padre Island, moving
southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Port Isabel City Hall, Beach Access Five, Holly Beach, Laguna
Heights, Port Isabel Lighthouse, Port Isabel Library, Port Isabel
High School, Port Isabel Fire And Police Department, Laguna Vista
Police Department, and Garria Elementary School.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 2625 9713 2614 9713 2609 9716 2617 9717
2615 9718 2611 9717 2603 9720 2612 9736
2619 9740 2630 9733 2626 9719 2624 9719
2619 9718 2618 9717 2626 9718
TIME...MOT...LOC 1417Z 300DEG 14KT 2619 9731
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
68Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
941 AM CDT Thu May 8 2025
TXZ355-455-081515-
Cameron Island TX-Coastal Cameron TX-
941 AM CDT Thu May 8 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT THROUGH 1015 AM CDT...
At 940 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Beach Access Four, or near South Padre Island, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Port Isabel City Hall, U.s. Coast Guard Station, Port Isabel
Lighthouse, Beach Access Four, Port Isabel High School, Port Isabel
Fire And Police Department, South Padre Island Convention Center,
Beach Access Six, Laguna Vista Police Department, and Garria
Elementary School.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2624 9708 2597 9714 2597 9715 2609 9731
2626 9721
TIME...MOT...LOC 1440Z 289DEG 20KT 2616 9717
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
68Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
101 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025
TXZ355-454-455-081830-
Cameron Island TX-Coastal Cameron TX-Willacy Island TX-
101 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT THROUGH 130 PM CDT...
At 100 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northwest of Beach Access Six, or 12 miles east of Arroyo City,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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 .
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 2624 9713 2625 9727 2640 9730 2643 9716
TIME...MOT...LOC 1800Z 264DEG 21KT 2633 9724
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
68Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
245 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025
TXZ253-255-082015-
Southern Hidalgo TX-Inland Cameron TX-
245 PM CDT Thu May 8 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HIDALGO AND WEST
CENTRAL CAMERON COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM CDT...
At 244 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Villa Verde, or over Weslaco, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
Donna Public Library, Adams Gardens, Weslaco Mid Valley Airport, Lion
Lake, A.p. Solis Middle School, Llano Grande Country Club, Beatriz
Garza Middle School, Weslaco City Hall, North Bridge Elementary
School, and Taylor Elementary School.
This includes US Highway 281 between mile markers 800 and 812.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2614 9810 2633 9789 2611 9772 2607 9793
2607 9794 2606 9795 2605 9797 2607 9798
2606 9799 2607 9800 2606 9801 2607 9801
2606 9802 2607 9803 2605 9804
TIME...MOT...LOC 1944Z 239DEG 24KT 2613 9800
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
68The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:53 UTC.
19 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Broadcast media shared a video from a resident with estimated quarter size hail at the intersection of Mile 9 and 1015 north of Weslaco.
Broadcast media shared a resident report of estimated 1 inch hail in Weslaco. Time estimated based on radar data.
There was a report from a trained spotter of baseball size hail at the intersection of FM2687 and FM649.
There was an mPING report of golf ball size hail about 5.6 miles west-northwest of Rincon, or about 16.5 miles northeast of Rio Grande City.
Pictures and video showed ping pong to golf ball size hail about 8.7 miles north-northeast of Rio Grande City.
A ranch owner sent a video of estimated quarter size hail.
An emergency manager reported 500 acres of corn destroyed in a farm field about 4.4 miles west-southwest of McCook.
Just after 7 PM CDT May 8, 2025, a strong microburst descended |from a hail-producing supercell thunderstorm in North McAllen, near the |city line with Edinburg. Damage, mainly to over 100 large mesquite and|live oak tree limbs, occurred between north Taylor Road and north Ware |Road. Along and just north of Mile 8 1/2 Road, one unanchored |recreational vehicle (RV) was flipped, with several sections of fence |blown down and small portions of the roof removed. Along Ware Road, one |industrial business lost its sheet metal roof and garage.
The most notable damage was seen east of Ware Road, mainly between Mile 9 |Road and State Road (SR) 107. In the El Pacifico neighborhood, one residence had|an unanchored RV turned, flipped, and rolled while the residence and several|more had scattered fence and isolated roof damage. One garage door was |blown in. Between Mile 8 1/2 Road and the Sharyland Water Supply Corporation, |widespread damage was seen in the Eldorado at Thousand Oaks Apartment/Duplex |subdivision, with other damage at a new subdivision immediately north. Much|of these neighborhoods' fencing was blown down, several carport stanchions|were snapped or lifted, and at least three homes had partial roof shingle |lift. Windblown fencing and carport material impacted nearby structures, |shattering windows and damaging stucco siding. Wooden power poles and light |poles were leaning to the east and southeast. A few wood-framed buildings |under construction were partially destroyed, and two more unbraced garages|were blown in. South of SR 107, damage was more isolated - mainly to tree |limbs and some fences, but one automobile repair shop along La Lomita Road|had part of its sheet metal roof lifted off.
In all, several dozen homes and a few businesses had some damage, and hundreds |of large tree limbs were blown down with at least ten uprooted.
There was a report received from a HAM Operator of 1 inch hail. The hail lasted for ten minutes at this location.
A local EM reported ping pong size hail at his residence in north McAllen.
A member of the public posted a Facebook photo of golf ball sized hail.
A member of the public posted a photo on Facebook of 1 inch hail.
A member of the public reported 2 inch hail via Facebook in north McAllen.
A member of the public sent photos through Facebook showing approximately golf ball sized hail.
There was a photo received from DHR Health of 2 inch size hail that fell near Dove and McColl along the Edinburg/McAllen line. Within a half mile of this location, a member of the public provided a photo via Facebook, also showing 2 inch diameter hail.
A member of the public reported one inch size hail in north Pharr near the McAllen city line.
A member of the public reported 3 inch diameter (tea cup size) hail, via Facebook. The stone was oblong shape, with a width of 1.5 inches.
A trained weather spotter reported golf ball size hail near the intersection of Wisconsin and Veterans in south Edinburg.
A member of the public reported golf ball size hail in north McAllen (via Facebook) near the Edinburg city line.
A trained spotter reported golf ball size hail just northeast of Donna, TX.
A member of the public reported 1.5 inch hail via Facebook, about 1 mile east of Progreso near the international border.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, May 2025
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: 1257691, 1257692, 1257693, 1257695, 1257696, 1257694, 1257701, 1257702, 1257699, 1257700, 1257704, 1257705, 1263452, 1257697, 1257710, 1263449, 1263450, 1263473, 1263474, 1263476, 1263477.