Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2026

Name: Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2026
Start: 2026-05-01T00:00
End: 2026-05-31T23:59
Location: Texas

May 1 to 31, 2026 · NWS CRP · 24 events in 24 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 24 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: 24

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 CRP wrote it up.

Repeated rounds of rainfall throughout May significantly improved drought conditions across South Texas and the Coastal Bend. Early-month rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 6 inches along the Coastal Bend and 1 to 10 inches across South Texas, with additional rainfall continuing through mid-May. Several storms produced strong winds, hail, and tornado warnings, resulting in localized damage. A more significant rainfall event occurred during the last week of May, when multiple storm systems produced widespread totals of 1 to 12 inches, with localized amounts exceeding 5 inches along portions of the Coastal Bend. The heavy rainfall led to localized creek flooding and more widespread flooding in portions of Refugio County. By month's end, topsoil and subsoil moisture had improved from short to surplus in many locations, substantially alleviating drought impacts and improving rangeland, pasture, and water availability across the region.

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 Corpus Christi, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 30, 4:58 PM CST, 7 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 555 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026
Marginal (1 of 5) Severe Weather Risk for northern half of S TX tonight and most of S TX Friday through Friday night.
Marginal to Slight (1-2 of 4) Risk of Excessive Rainfall Friday through Friday night.
Gale Watch Friday evening through Saturday morning Small Craft Advisory through Saturday afternoon or evening.
Wind Advisory possible Friday afternoon and evening.
Minor Coastal Flooding possible Saturday.
Moderate Rip Current Risk Friday and possibly through Saturday.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 30, 4:58 PM CST, 7 hours 2 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
558 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 555 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

- Marginal (1 of 5) Severe Weather Risk for northern half of S TX
tonight and most of S TX Friday through Friday night.

- Marginal to Slight (1-2 of 4) Risk of Excessive Rainfall Friday
through Friday night.

- Gale Watch Friday evening through Saturday morning Small Craft
Advisory through Saturday afternoon or evening.

- Wind Advisory possible Friday afternoon and evening.

- Minor Coastal Flooding possible Saturday.

- Moderate Rip Current Risk Friday and possibly through Saturday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 228 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Multiple hazards expected tonight through Saturday night due to a
cold front moving through S TX Friday/Friday night.

A mid/upper level short wave coincident with the cold front and
abundant moisture will be conducive for a couple of rounds of
scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Tonight, there is a
marginal risk of severe storms generally from Encinal to Victoria
and northward. The marginal risk of severe storms expands to include
most of S TX, except along the Rio Grande, Friday through Friday
night associated with the FROPA. Confidence is moderate for severe
weather on Friday due to strong low level moisture convergence,
moderate instability, diffluence aloft, strong PVA and lift. The
caveat will be whether the strong capping inversion erodes
sufficiently to allow convective development. The main threat is
expected to be large hail and damaging winds. There is a very low
chance of a tornado.

There is a marginal to slight risk of excessive rainfall Friday
through Friday night. The slight risk is generally from Tilden to
Rockport and northward. The rainfall will be beneficial, but
could produce localized flooding of low lying areas, urban areas,
creeks and streams. The front and associated storms are expected
to move through the region fairly quickly, thus widespread
flooding is not anticipated. That could change if the front slows
down.

Rain chances diminish and skies clear from northwest to southeast
behind the cold front Friday evening through the night. Cooler
temperatures with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s are expected
in the wake of the cold front. Then a warming trend begins Sunday
with moderate heat risk by Tuesday.

Strong north to northeast winds develop behind the cold front Friday
afternoon through Saturday morning. Winds could gusts up to 40 mph,
but the duration is uncertain. If it lasts more than 2 hours, it
will warrant a Wind Advisory across mainly eastern portions of S TX
beginning Friday afternoon. In addition, frequent gusts to gale
force is expected across the marine zones, thus a Gale Watch is in
effect from Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Minor coastal flooding is possible behind the cold front Friday
night into Saturday during high tide. This is due to a strong
northeast flow across the gulf waters, seas building to 10-13ft, and
swell periods increasing to around 8 seconds. As for rip currents,
there is a moderate risk Friday, but could become moderate to high
Friday night through Saturday night.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 555 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight and through Friday
as a cold front approaches and then moves through South Texas. A
few of these storms could be strong to severe, with hail as the
greatest threat overnight. MVFR conditions will prevail shortly
after 02Z, with periods of IFR/LIFR ceilings in and around any
thunderstorms. Winds will shift to the north/northeast Friday
midday through the afternoon as the cold front surges south.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 228 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

A gentle to moderate onshore flow (BF 3-4) will continue tonight
through Friday ahead of a cold front. Winds will increase slightly
to a more moderate flow Friday before shifting to the northeast and
then increasing to strong to near gale (BF 6-7) Friday night through
Saturday. A Gale Watch is in effect Friday evening through Saturday
morning. Winds will gradually diminish to a moderate to fresh (BF 4-
5) Saturday night through Sunday before further weakening to gentle
to moderate flow and turning east to southeast.
A medium to high (30-70%) chance of showers and thunderstorms can be
expected Friday through Friday night, then diminishing from
northwest to southeast Saturday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 228 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Relative humidity values will remain at or above 35% through the
forecast period. Ahead and along a cold front, there is a medium
to high rain chances tonight through Friday night, will limit fire
weather concerns into early next week.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi    73  84  56  74 /  20  60  30  10
Victoria          66  76  53  75 /  70  80  40   0
Laredo            72  84  57  75 /  50  50  10   0
Alice             72  85  56  77 /  30  60  30   0
Rockport          74  82  59  78 /  30  70  40   0
Cotulla           68  75  55  77 /  70  70  10   0
Kingsville        73  87  56  75 /  20  50  30  10
Navy Corpus       75  82  60  74 /  20  50  40  10

&&

.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
GM...Gale Watch from Friday evening through Saturday morning for
     GMZ231-232-236-237-250-255-270-275.

&&

DISCUSSION...TE/81
AVIATION...LS/77

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 8:27 PM CST, 3 hours 33 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
927 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

TXZ239-010315-
Webb TX-
927 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL WEBB COUNTY THROUGH
1015 PM CDT...

At 927 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles northwest of Columbia Bridge, or 32 miles northwest of Laredo,
moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
Ranchos Penitas West, Las Tiendas, and Columbia Bridge.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 2796 9956 2764 9960 2764 9963 2763 9964
      2764 9967 2765 9966 2767 9969 2765 9970
      2766 9971 2772 9976 2774 9980 2778 9982
      2776 9984 2779 9985 2780 9988 2784 9988
      2788 9991 2790 9989 2793 9993
TIME...MOT...LOC 0227Z 269DEG 26KT 2781 9991

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

LIZ

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 10:05 PM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1105 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

TXZ239-010430-
Webb TX-
1105 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WEBB COUNTY THROUGH
1130 PM CDT...

At 1104 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Chupadera Ranch Airport, or 35 miles southeast of El
Indio, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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 northwestern Webb
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 2820 9992 2820 9972 2794 9965 2792 9992
      2794 9993 2794 9994 2798 9993 2798 9996
      2800 9999 2807 10002 2809 10005 2810 10005
      2815 10008 2816 10013 2817 10014
TIME...MOT...LOC 0404Z 257DEG 30KT 2803 10007

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

NMP

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 10:29 PM CST, 1 hour 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1129 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

TXZ239-010515-
Webb TX-
1129 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WEBB COUNTY THROUGH
1215 AM CDT...

At 1129 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles south of Gilson Groves, or 29 miles west of Encinal, moving
east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
La Esperanza Ranch Airport.

This includes US Highway 83 between mile markers 668 and 676.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 2813 10006 2820 9990 2820 9953 2806 9943
      2799 9998
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 250DEG 31KT 2811 9983

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

NMP

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 11:22 PM CST, 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1222 AM CDT Fri May 1 2026

TXZ229-010600-
La Salle TX-
1222 AM CDT Fri May 1 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL LA SALLE COUNTY THROUGH
100 AM CDT...

At 1222 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Cotulla, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Cotulla, Fort Ewell Site, Los Angeles, Artesia Wells, Fowlerton, and
Chaparral Wildlife Management Area.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 45 and 67.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 2858 9881 2815 9881 2812 9939 2839 9939
TIME...MOT...LOC 0522Z 242DEG 39KT 2836 9920

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

NMP

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, La Salle

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: La Salle forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.345, -99.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to widespread D2.

Drought, McMullen

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: McMullen forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.353, -98.568 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to widespread D2 and isolated D3.

Drought, Live Oak

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Live Oak forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.351, -98.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to widespread D2.

Drought, Bee

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Bee forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.417, -97.741 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to widespread D2.

Drought, Jim Wells

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.731, -98.090 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Inland Nueces County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Nueces County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.735, -97.516 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Inland Kleberg County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Kleberg County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.427, -97.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Webb

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Webb forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.761, -99.332 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to widespread D2.

Drought, Duval

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Duval forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.681, -98.509 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to widespread D2.

Drought, Inland San Patricio County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland San Patricio County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.009, -97.518 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Goliad

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Goliad forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.657, -97.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to isolated D2.

Drought, Victoria

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Victoria forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.796, -96.971 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to isolated D2.

Drought, Coastal Nueces County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Nueces County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.735, -97.516 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Coastal Kleberg County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Kleberg County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.427, -97.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Inland Refugio County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Refugio County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.322, -97.159 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Coastal Refugio County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Refugio County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.322, -97.159 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Coastal Aransas County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Aransas County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.015, -97.074 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Aransas County Islands

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Aransas County Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.015, -97.074 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Inland Calhoun County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Calhoun County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.439, -96.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Coastal Calhoun County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Calhoun County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.439, -96.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Calhoun County Islands

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.439, -96.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Coastal San Patricio County

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal San Patricio County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.009, -97.518 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Nueces County Islands

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Nueces County Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.735, -97.516 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

Drought, Kleberg County Islands

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 26, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Kleberg County Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 27.427, -97.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Improvement to D1 by 5/26, ending inclusion in Storm Data.

What these are

Drought: A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, May 2026

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: 1332168, 1332169, 1332170, 1332171, 1332172, 1332173, 1332174, 1332175, 1332176, 1332177, 1332178, 1332179, 1332180, 1332182, 1332183, 1332184, 1332185, 1332186, 1332187, 1332188, 1332189, 1332190, 1332191, 1332192.