During the morning hours of May 27th, a squall line of strong to severe thunderstorms associated with a Mesoscale Convective System and outflow boundary from thunderstorms further upstream, resulted in numerous thunderstorm wind gusts, as well as welcome rainfall but no significant flooding. Some of the gusts reached severe limits in the lower Rio Grande Valley (Cameron).
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.
During the morning hours of May 27th, a squall line of strong to severe thunderstorms associated with a Mesoscale Convective System and outflow boundary from thunderstorms further upstream, resulted in numerous thunderstorm wind gusts, as well as welcome rainfall but no significant flooding. Some of the gusts reached severe limits in the lower Rio Grande Valley (Cameron).
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 27, 5:41 AM CST, 2 hours 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Brownsville TX 641 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 640 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 - A Marginal to Slight Risk (levels 1 and 2 of 4) of isolated to scattered flash flooding from excessive and heavy rainfall is outlined for portions of Deep South Texas today. - Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms will continue into this morning and/or re-develop this afternoon. Primary threats are gusty winds, small hail, lightning, and locally heavy rain. - A moderate risk of rip currents continues through Thursday evening. - Minor to moderate heat risks (level 1 and 2 of 4) persist, peaking this weekend as dry conditions and clearer skies temporarily return. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1039 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 And once again, we are now staring down the barrel of another potential dark and stormy night here in deep south Texas. A deep and negatively-tilted mid/upper level trough persists overnight across northern and eastern TX, downstream of a strong trough/cut-off low aloft digging southward over the western US. The combination of Pacific (via southwesterly 700 mb flow) and Gulf (via lower level southeasterly flow) moisture transport into the area of increased forcing for ascension aloft has resulted in numerous severe thunderstorms across western, central and southern Texas today and this evening, with the southernmost portion of activity currently producing a squall line extending south-southwestward from just east of San Antonio on down to Webb and Duval counties, just north of the Northern Ranchlands, generally moving due east. Meanwhile, overcast skies loom over our region along with dry conditions. The latest SPC Mesoanaylsis indicates 7.0-7.5 C/km mid-level lapse rates and 35-45+ kt bulk shear across most of the region as well as SBCAPE and MUCAPE values of 3,000-4,000 J/kg (highest along/west of US-281) in addition to 500 mb analysis showing the best upper level flow divergence across the Northern Ranchlands, all of which is setting the stage for strong to severe thunderstorms anticipated over the coming hours. The HRRR continues to be more or less the best in accurately initializing the latest regional conditions/radar and this evening's 00Z run indicates the area of developing convection over the Sierra Madre/northwest of Zapata County to intensify and lengthen southward, bringing the possibility of strong to scattered severe thunderstorms, potentially along another squall line, eastward into Zapata, Starr, Jim Hogg, Brooks and Kenedy counties late tonight, where there is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch effective until 6 AM Wednesday morning. The primary threats across this area continue to be damaging winds of 58-75 mph and large to very large (1-2 inch) hail. Although Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties are not part of this watch due to less instability, conditions are still supportive for strong to isolated severe thunderstorms, still capable of producing strong to isolated damaging winds and small to isolated large hail. Additionally, as PWATs could surge to as high 2.0-2.30 in. overnight, these storms are likely to be efficient rainfall producers with the capability of easily producing 1-3+ inches where thunderstorms move slowly or train. Therefore, WPC maintains a Slight Risk of scattered flash flooding from excessive and heavy rainfall over the northern portions of Zapata, Jim Hogg and Brooks counties as well as a Marginal Risk for isolated flash flooding to as far south as southeastern Starr, northwestern Hidalgo and northwestern Kenedy counties. Whatever is left of the convective activity by Wednesday morning should continue to move eastward and be mostly over the Gulf, possibly by mid-morning, followed by a low to medium (30-60%) chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening hours. However, due to run-to-run model inconsistency in timing and convective mode(s), it is less certain for the prospects of severe thunderstorms either continuing in the morning and/or redeveloping in the afternoon. Yet, these aspects should gain more confidence overnight tonight as the convection unfolds. Still, high moisture content leads to a Marginal Risk of isolated flash flooding mainly along/east of US-281, as far west as the far eastern portions of Jim Hogg County and northern/eastern half of Hidalgo County. Ridging resumes behind the departing trough Wednesday night with a dry stretch ensuing into the weekend, when troughing over Mexico and the Desert Southwest begin to bring some more daily chances of unsettled weather, possibly beginning Saturday night. Chances remain low to medium (20-40%) at this time, though could become more widespread and persistent by early next week. High temperatures in the low/mid 90s, possibly upper 80s further north, continue through most of the next 7 days along with maximum afternoon heat indices ranging within a few degrees from 100-105 F. Mainly minor heat risks can be expected across most of the region each day though more urban areas of the RGV could experience moderate. As moisture and heat build again from southeasterly winds and increased sunshine late this week and into this weekend, a moderate risk could become more widespread across the RGV Friday into Saturday and across the rest of the region on Sunday before reducing to mostly minor early next week as cloud cover increases. Heat indices up to 110 F are possible within the moderate heat risks. A moderate risk of rip currents continues through Thursday evening. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 640 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 MVFR ceilings and southerly to southeasterly winds around 10 to 15 knots are being observed across the TAF sites this morning. Meanwhile, a complex of showers and strong thunderstorms continue to translate across portions of the Northern Ranchlands and mid Texas coast. High res guidance indicates this activity should spread further south towards the TAF sites by mid morning, and exit the region by early to mid afternoon. Main threats with any thunderstorms will be gusty winds, small hail, reduced ceilings and/or visibility, lightning, and locally heavy rain. Brief wind shifts can also be expected within any strong thunderstorms. Conditions should improve later this afternoon, although intermittent periods of MVFR ceilings cannot be ruled out. && .MARINE... Issued at 1039 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 Small Craft Exercise Caution headlines, resulting from moderate to fresh winds and moderate (3-5 ft) seas are likely to continue through tonight before easing to mainly gentle to moderate easterly to southeasterly winds and slight to moderate (2-4 ft) seas for the remainder of the next 7 days. Chances of rain gradually increase throughout tonight to as much a medium (40-60%) chance Wednesday morning and gradually diminish to around 15% or less from Thursday into this weekend. Low to medium chances of rain return either late this weekend or early next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... BROWNSVILLE 90 77 92 77 / 40 20 20 0 HARLINGEN 90 74 91 74 / 50 20 10 0 MCALLEN 92 77 93 76 / 40 10 20 0 RIO GRANDE CITY 92 74 93 75 / 40 20 10 0 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 85 80 85 80 / 40 20 10 0 BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL 88 77 89 77 / 40 20 10 0 && .BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...65 LONG TERM....65 AVIATION...22-Garcia
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
645 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
TXZ249-250-271230-
Brooks TX-Jim Hogg TX-
645 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL JIM HOGG AND BROOKS
COUNTIES THROUGH 730 AM CDT...
At 645 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 14 miles northeast of San Rafael Ranch Airport, or 15
miles northeast of Agua Nueva, 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...
Falfurrias, Hebbronville, Gruy Stadium, La Colonia Park, Airport Road
Addition, South Fork Estates, Falfurrias Junior High School, Las
Lomitas, Pleasant Park, and El Coyote Ranch Airport.
This includes US Highway 281 between mile markers 708 and 728.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 AM CDT for
Deep South Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2734 9855 2734 9852 2727 9852 2726 9799
2678 9822 2678 9837 2727 9896 2727 9880
2735 9879 2736 9863 2734 9862 2734 9859
2736 9859 2736 9855
TIME...MOT...LOC 1145Z 204DEG 41KT 2700 9838
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
23-ATESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
648 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
TXZ248-271230-
Zapata TX-
648 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN ZAPATA COUNTY THROUGH
730 AM CDT...
At 647 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southeast of El Cenizo, or 10 miles north of San Ygnacio,
moving 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...
San Ygnacio.
This includes US Highway 83 between mile markers 738 and 762.
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.
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 800 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 9898 2692 9932 2694 9939 2696 9939
2698 9938 2702 9942 2701 9943 2702 9945
2706 9945
TIME...MOT...LOC 1147Z 222DEG 33KT 2720 9944
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
23-ATESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
744 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
TXZ251-353-271315-
Northern Hidalgo TX-Inland Kenedy TX-
744 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN KENEDY AND
NORTHEASTERN HIDALGO COUNTIES THROUGH 815 AM CDT...
At 743 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
San Manuel, moving north at 35 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...
San Manuel, Linn, and Hargill Reservoir.
This includes US Highway 281 between mile markers 748 and 760.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 AM CDT for
Deep South Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2670 9783 2660 9790 2661 9796 2655 9797
2653 9796 2654 9798 2649 9799 2649 9800
2646 9800 2653 9818 2677 9809
TIME...MOT...LOC 1243Z 202DEG 30KT 2658 9806
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
55-MMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
818 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
TXZ253-353-271400-
Southern Hidalgo TX-Northern Hidalgo TX-
818 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN HIDALGO COUNTY
THROUGH 900 AM CDT...
At 818 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near San Manuel, moving northeast at 90 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...
San Manuel, Linn, Faysville, Red Gate, Hargill Elementary, Edinburg
South Texas International Airport
Edinburg South Texas International Airport, Mcallen, and Hargill
Reservoir.
This includes US Highway 281 between mile markers 744 and 764.
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 2642 9832 2678 9813 2674 9798 2662 9799
2661 9796 2655 9797 2653 9797 2654 9798
2650 9799 2635 9806
TIME...MOT...LOC 1318Z 207DEG 77KT 2656 9805
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
55-MMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
856 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
TXZ253>255-354-355-271445-
Inland Willacy TX-Coastal Cameron TX-Southern Hidalgo TX-
Coastal Willacy TX-Inland Cameron TX-
856 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HIDALGO...
NORTHWESTERN CAMERON AND EASTERN WILLACY COUNTIES THROUGH 945 AM
CDT...
At 856 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Rio Hondo Elementary School, or near Rio Hondo,
moving northeast at 85 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Harlingen, Weslaco, San Benito, Mercedes, La Feria, Progreso, Santa
Rosa, Rio Hondo, Palm Valley, and Los Indios.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate Highway 69 E between mile markers 17 and 37.
US Highway 281 between mile markers 806 and 824.
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.
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 2604 9771 2602 9771 2603 9776 2605 9777
2603 9778 2603 9779 2605 9779 2606 9780
2605 9781 2606 9782 2605 9783 2605 9786
2607 9786 2606 9787 2607 9788 2606 9796
2619 9799 2659 9743 2631 9735 2602 9770
TIME...MOT...LOC 1356Z 206DEG 76KT 2626 9755
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
55-MMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
913 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
TXZ255-355-455-271500-
Cameron Island TX-Coastal Cameron TX-Inland Cameron TX-
913 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN CAMERON COUNTY THROUGH
1000 AM CDT...
At 913 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Cameron County moving east at 65 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...
Los Fresnos, Rancho Viejo, Southmost, Olmito, Port Of Brownsville, La
Paloma, Cameron Park, Laureles, Downtown Brownsville, and
Brownsville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate Highway 69 E between mile markers 1 and 17.
US Highway 281 between mile markers 826 and 838.
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.
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 2586 9741 2584 9741 2585 9745 2588 9746
2589 9752 2592 9753 2594 9758 2601 9765
2603 9764 2603 9769 2634 9732 2608 9715
2597 9714 2596 9728 2594 9728 2592 9733
2593 9735 2591 9737 2585 9737 2584 9740
TIME...MOT...LOC 1413Z 249DEG 58KT 2608 9751
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
55-MMThe Brownsville radar (KBRO), 28 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:32 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
AWOS site at Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport measured a wind gusts of 61 mph.
A SpaceX employee reported a 61 mph wind gust at Starbase.
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: 1344097, 1344098.