A very moist and unstable air mass was in place across South Texas, with surface dewpoints in the lower to middle 70s and strong daytime heating producing moderate to strong instability. Sea-breeze boundaries along the Middle Texas Coast served as a focus for thunderstorm development during the afternoon.
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 CRP wrote it up.
A very moist and unstable air mass was in place across South Texas, with surface dewpoints in the lower to middle 70s and strong daytime heating producing moderate to strong instability. Sea-breeze boundaries along the Middle Texas Coast served as a focus for thunderstorm development during the afternoon. While upper-level winds were relatively weak, sufficient instability and moderate deep-layer shear supported organized convection capable of producing damaging wind gusts. A compact MCS developed near Corpus Christi and moved along the coast, where a favorable thermodynamic environment allowed it to intensify. The storm complex produced severe wind gusts, including measured gusts of 53-59 kt in Corpus Christi.
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 May 23, 5:43 AM CST, 5 hours 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
643 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...New UPDATE, AVIATION...
.UPDATE...
Issued at 637 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
Guidance is in good agreement this morning that a cluster of
showers and thunderstorms over Mexico, currently seen on radar and
satellite, will move eastward across South Texas this morning and
afternoon. There remains a marginal risk of severe storms,
primarily for damaging winds and large hail, as well as a slight
(level 2 of 4) risk of flash flooding. A large swath of the
Coastal Bend will see convection around noon with most of the
rainfall clearing by 6 PM this evening.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 637 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
- Marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of strong to severe storms Saturday
-Flood Watch in effect area-wide through Monday as multiple rounds
of storms bring a marginal to slight risk of flash flooding each
day.
-Risk of river flooding this weekend with more rounds of storms.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 120 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
As of 11:20 PM, we are monitoring a couple at areas with storms.
There is a line of storms that continues tracking southwards
towards our CWA. Concurrently, we also have a couple of storms to
the south in tracking north and west of our area in Mexico
tracking southeast. If the the storms combine and grow upscale we
could be dealing a unfavorable scenario. Will continue to monitor
this overnight. The likely timeframe for convection to begin will
be around 12-13Z beginning out west and tracking east. Guidance
has a cluster of storms congealing into a line of storms and
progressing to east through the day. Some clustering of storms
around the line will still be likely leading to widespread heavy
rainfall across the area. With the above normal moisture present,
very efficient rainfall rates will be expected. This will allow
for a continued threat for flash flooding given anteceding
conditions of already saturated soils. While there is a marginal
risk for severe thunderstorms today, as previously mentioned given
the abundance of cloud cover it will be a little more difficult
for storms to become strong to severe. It won't be out of the
question however, will monitor this threat through the day.
Majority of the region remains in slight risk for excessive
rainfall. The expected totals with storms today will likely be in
the neighborhood of 2-3 inches, though locally higher amounts will
be possible. Activity will linger through Sunday afternoon as a
disturbance/potential surface low will gradually progress to the
east.
We will continue to monitor our next chance of rain, which will
likely be around the middle of next week. This could lead to
another round of heavy rain producing showers and storms further
increasing potential flooding concerns given already saturated
soils. As of this cycle, WPC has outlooked all of South Texas in a
marginal risk for excessive rainfall Tuesday into Wednesday
morning. Be sure to check back for future updates as this is still
days out. Temperatures will be in the 80s through the end of next
week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 637 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
The lack of convection during the early morning hours allowed for
low ceilings to develop over the inland Coastal Plains, impacting
ALI with IFR/LIFR ceilings and VCT with MVFR ceilings, as well as
COT. A cluster of showers and thunderstorms on the Mexico side of
the Rio Grande is slowly moving eastward and will continue through
South Texas through this morning and afternoon. TEMPOs have been
updated to reflect greatest timeframe for direct terminal impacts.
There is a marginal risk of severe storms, posing a threat for
damaging winds and large hail. Outside of gusty downpours, winds
should be generally light out of the east to southeast around 10
knots or less. Rain chances decreases this evening and not
confident enough to include in the forecast at this time as much
will be dependent on the progression of storms through the day.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 120 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
Gentle to moderate E-SE winds will prevail today through the
weekend over the waters. Brief periods of gusty and erratic winds
(and elevated seas) will be possible in the vicinity of
thunderstorms. Thunderstorm chances will be high (60-80%) Saturday
and Sunday.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi 85 72 84 72 / 80 70 50 20
Victoria 85 68 83 68 / 70 60 50 30
Laredo 86 70 89 71 / 70 20 10 30
Alice 85 70 85 69 / 80 60 40 10
Rockport 88 74 87 74 / 70 70 60 30
Cotulla 86 68 88 70 / 70 40 10 10
Kingsville 84 71 85 70 / 80 60 40 10
Navy Corpus 86 75 85 76 / 70 60 50 20
&&
.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Flood Watch through Monday evening for TXZ229>234-239>247-
342>347-442-443-447.
GM...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...NP/92
AVIATION...EMF/94Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1008 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
TXZ231-231545-
Live Oak TX-
1008 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LIVE OAK COUNTY
THROUGH 1045 AM CDT...
At 1008 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Campbellton, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Nell.
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 2871 9802 2870 9822 2871 9821 2879 9810
TIME...MOT...LOC 1508Z 269DEG 23KT 2869 9839
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1033 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
TXZ231-232-231615-
Live Oak TX-Bee TX-
1033 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LIVE OAK AND
NORTHWESTERN BEE COUNTIES THROUGH 1115 AM CDT...
At 1032 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Campbellton to near Simmons. Movement was
east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Three Rivers, Mineral, Nell, Karon, Oakville, Pawnee, Simmons, Ray
Point, Whitsett, and Esseville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 37 between mile markers 60 and 83.
US Highway 281 between mile markers 618 and 628.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 2869 9801 2872 9792 2868 9786 2839 9792
2834 9828 2864 9830 2879 9810
TIME...MOT...LOC 1532Z 250DEG 24KT 2876 9824 2839 9823
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
AESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1045 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
TXZ231-232-240-241-243-244-231645-
Live Oak TX-Jim Wells TX-Inland Nueces TX-Inland San Patricio TX-
Bee TX-Duval TX-
1045 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN DUVAL...NORTHWESTERN
NUECES...NORTHWESTERN SAN PATRICIO...JIM WELLS...SOUTHERN LIVE OAK
AND SOUTHWESTERN BEE COUNTIES THROUGH 1145 AM CDT...
At 1044 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Simmons to near Clegg to Midway to near
Tecalote to Alice Acres to near Palito Blanco. Movement was east at
20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Alice, Mathis, San Diego, George West, Orange Grove, Lake City, San
Patricio, Midway, River Creek Acres, Banquete, San Jose, Sandia,
Tecalote, Annarose, Argenta, Rancho De La Parita, Mount Lucas,
Dinero, Lagarto, and Alfred-South La Paloma.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 37 between mile markers 29 and 61.
US Highway 281 between mile markers 628 and 682.
US Highway 59 between mile markers 704 and 742.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
If on or near Lake Corpus Christi, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
&&
LAT...LON 2758 9831 2784 9823 2812 9834 2819 9834
2836 9828 2843 9784 2801 9773 2781 9775
2764 9794 2764 9806 2762 9806
TIME...MOT...LOC 1544Z 256DEG 18KT 2839 9822 2817 9828 2804 9811 2784
9807 2771 9810 2765 9818
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
AESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1106 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
TXZ242-243-342-343-442-231645-
Inland Nueces TX-Kleberg Islands TX-Coastal Nueces TX-
Coastal Kleberg TX-Inland Kleberg TX-
1106 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN NUECES AND KLEBERG
COUNTIES THROUGH 1145 AM CDT...
At 1106 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles west of Driscoll to 7 miles west of
Bishop to near Kingsville Naval Air Station to near Riviera Beach.
Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Kingsville, Robstown, Driscoll, Bishop, Riviera Beach, Ricardo,
Banquete, Malaquite Beach, Riviera, Kingsville Naval Air Station,
Petronila, Loyola Beach, Chapman Ranch, and North San Pedro.
This includes US Highway 77 between mile markers 672 and 708.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 2724 9763 2728 9765 2726 9773 2728 9776
2728 9778 2724 9784 2725 9798 2756 9798
2764 9796 2764 9794 2772 9794 2787 9775
2751 9723 2724 9735 2728 9735 2727 9738
2724 9737 2724 9740 2726 9745 2723 9754
TIME...MOT...LOC 1606Z 230DEG 26KT 2769 9790 2761 9792 2746 9783 2727
9764
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
AESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1110 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
TXZ231>233-231715-
Live Oak TX-Bee TX-Goliad TX-
1110 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT GOLIAD...CENTRAL LIVE OAK AND
NORTHERN BEE COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 PM CDT...
At 1110 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Cestohowa to near Mineral
to near River Creek Acres. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Beeville, Goliad, Mineral, Ander, Berclair, Weesatche, Weser, Nell,
Tulsita, Karon, Normanna, Oakville, Pettus, Pawnee, Tuleta, and
Charco.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 37 between mile markers 58 and 65.
US Highway 281 near mile marker 630.
US Highway 181 between mile markers 572 and 592.
US Highway 183 between mile markers 626 and 650.
US Highway 59 between mile markers 660 and 698.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 2888 9731 2886 9730 2862 9728 2842 9744
2834 9815 2852 9808 2876 9814 2879 9810
2869 9801 2872 9792 2867 9782 2867 9778
2892 9742
TIME...MOT...LOC 1610Z 262DEG 34KT 2897 9784 2855 9785 2833 9799
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
AESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1143 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
TXZ232-233-244-246-231730-
Inland San Patricio TX-Bee TX-Inland Refugio TX-Goliad TX-
1143 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN SAN PATRICIO...
SOUTHEASTERN GOLIAD...WESTERN REFUGIO AND SOUTHEASTERN BEE COUNTIES
THROUGH 1230 PM CDT...
At 1143 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southwest of Berclair to 8 miles
southwest of Blanconia to near Skidmore to near Papalote to near West
Sinton. Movement was northeast at 35 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...
Beeville, Refugio, Woodsboro, Skidmore, St. Paul, Quintana, Papalote,
Blanconia, and Tynan.
This includes the following highways...
US Highway 181 between mile markers 592 and 614.
US Highway 183 between mile markers 650 and 668.
US Highway 59 between mile markers 694 and 698.
US Highway 77 between mile markers 612 and 640.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 2862 9728 2835 9713 2810 9743 2805 9776
2827 9771 2840 9778
TIME...MOT...LOC 1643Z 234DEG 32KT 2849 9768 2835 9754 2831 9766 2822
9763 2808 9771
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AEThe Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 2 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:56 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
ASOS station KCRP at Corpus Christi International Airport measured gusts up to 66 mph.
Picture of one large V-shape tree trunk snapped/split.
AWOS station KNGP at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station measured gusts up to 68 mph.
Reports of large trees down due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Several trees reported down throughout the city.
Pictures sent in of a large tree down onto a residents home and vehicles. Time estimated by radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, May 2026
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: 1332525, 1332528, 1332531, 1332532, 1332533, 1332534.