Tornadoes · United States · Texas · 2026
EF0 tornado, Quemado, Texas, May 26, 2026
This EF0 tornado ran 0.5 miles across Maverick County on May 26, 2026, touching down at 5:19 PM CDT and reaching 25 yards wide. It killed nobody.
Preliminary. This is NWS EWX's damage survey, filed in the Damage Assessment Toolkit as North Quemado. The rating, the path and the casualties are the survey's and can change while it is revised. The Storm Prediction Center compiles the official record of 2026 from these surveys and publishes it in the spring of 2027; this page moves to that tornado's permanent address when it does.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
The survey
- Rating, as surveyed
- EF0, preliminary
- Date
- May 26, 2026
- Touchdown
- 5:19 PM CDT (22:19 UTC)
- Lifted
- 5:22 PM CDT (22:22 UTC)
- On the ground
- 3 minutes
- Path length
- 0.5 miles (0.8 km)
- Path width
- 25 yards (23 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- County
- Maverick County
- Touchdown point
- 29.031, -100.636
- Lift-off point
- 29.024, -100.633
- Highest wind the damage implies
- 65 mph
- Surveyed by
- NWS EWX
- The office's name for it
- North Quemado
- Survey last edited
- May 28, 2026
- Record number
- None yet. SPC numbers 2026 in the spring of 2027.
What the survey found
Several storm chasers reported funnel cloud moved across highway 277 and briefly had fully condensed east of the highway for a short time (1 to 3 minutes). small broken tree branches were noted.
Written by NWS EWX in the NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit. A survey is revised as better evidence arrives.
The damage survey
1 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS EWX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 65 mph.
- Several storm chasers reported funnel cloud moved across highway 277 and briefly had fully condensed east of the highway for a short time (1 to 3 minutes). small broken tree branches were noted.
Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.
What the Weather Service recorded
An upper shortwave trough moved across Texas and generated thunderstorms. Some storms formed along a dryline over the western edge of South-Central Texas. Other storms formed east of the dryline in a conditionally unstable, moist airmass. Storms produced all severe hazards and locally heavy rain.
The National Weather Service received reports of a brief tornado across rural portions of Maverick County several miles north of Quemado. Several storm chasers had reported that a funnel cloud moved across US Highway 277 and briefly fully condensed to the ground just east of the highway for a short time. Small broken tree branches were noted off the highway, supporting EF-0 damage. Maximum winds were estimated at 65 mph.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
The warnings
No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.
The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 18:33 UTC and running to 01:17 UTC.
| Issued (UTC) | Expired | Product | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18:33 UTC | 01:17 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | EWX |
| 21:48 UTC | 22:45 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | EWX |
| 22:21 UTC | 22:38 UTC | Tornado Warning | EWX |
| 22:39 UTC | 23:45 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | EWX |
| 23:15 UTC | 23:45 UTC | Tornado Warning | EWX |
| 23:23 UTC | 00:14 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | EWX |
Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.
The forecast that day
The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk, with a 0.02 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 19:48 UTC.
SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at May 26, 3:44 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Active and unsettled weather pattern this afternoon through Wednesday with localized flooding issues possible.
- Warmer and drier weather forecast for latter part of the work week
- Rain chances return over the weekend and early next week as we turn the calendar to June.
Area forecast discussion, May 26, 3:44 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 344 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 ...New UPDATE... .KEY MESSAGES... - Active and unsettled weather pattern this afternoon through Wednesday with localized flooding issues possible. - Warmer and drier weather forecast for latter part of the work week - Rain chances return over the weekend and early next week as we turn the calendar to June. && .UPDATE... Issued at 341 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 We have expanded the Severe Thunderstorm Watch into Atascosa County with the severe thunderstorm headed into the county from the west. More storms may form later this evening. && .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Wednesday night) Issued at 1256 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 As of 1 PM CDT, the line of storms that extends from the San Angelo's area to the southwest into the Midland's area is producing heavy rain with rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This trend is forecast to continue as the line pushes eastward this afternoon and evening. This activity is taking advantage of a mid to upper level trough axis moving across the Southern Plains/central Texas. As the day progresses, instability increases to help storms grow to strong and severe weather levels. All severe weather hazards are possible including very large hail of 2+ inches. Can't rule out an isolated tornado or two. A Level 2 of 5 (Storm Prediction Center) risk of severe thunderstorms highlights areas west of Highway 281 and Level 1 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms east of Highway 281 through Wednesday morning. Also, WPC ERO Day 1 highlights all of South Central Texas at a Level 1 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall through Wednesday morning. As a matter of fact, we are expecting rainfall rates to be elevated as the convective line of storms moves across most of the local area through the period. Due to saturated soils or very wet grounds per last several days, a quick 1 to 3 inches could cause some sort of flooding issues across the area, especially over the Flood Watch area. The big concern with this line is that if slows down as it pushes through Rio Grande Plains, Southern Edwards Plateau, and Hill Country, then probabilities go up for isolated spots to get up to 5 inches of rainfall. Can't pinpoint the locations and therefore, anyone under the Flood Watch has equal opportunities. The Flood Watch is in effect from 4 PM through 8 AM Wednesday and takes all uncertainties into account. The most likely storm timing is mid/late afternoon and evening along the Rio Grande Plains, late evening through early overnight over the Hill Country and parts of the I-35 corridor, and overnight east of I-35 corridor and Coastal Plains. By noon Wednesday, most of the shower and thunderstorm activity should be concentrated east of I-35 corridor with rain chances diminishing and coming to an end during the evening. && .LONG TERM... (Thursday through next Tuesday) Issued at 1256 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 Dry weather conditions are in store for Thursday and Friday for the most part. Can't rule out a few showers or even an isolated thunderstorms along and east of Highway 77 both afternoons. After a cooler day on Wednesday due to cloud cover and wet grounds, a warming trend starts for the latter portion of the week with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s over most places with mid 90s along the Rio Grande Plains. Rain chances return over parts of South Central Texas especially areas along the Rio Grande Plains and Hill Country per latest guidance. The somewhat weather pattern continues into early next week with highs in the 80s and 90s. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1232 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026 VFR to MVFR ceilings are seen across the area this afternoon with a line of thunderstorms developing just west of South Central Texas over the southern Edwards Plateau. While some isolated thunderstorms could develop ahead of this main line denoted mainly by PROB30 groups, the expected timing for a line of storms was used for TEMPO groups. Some lingering showers and MVFR ceilings may be seen behind this line of storms as well. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Austin Camp Mabry 70 84 70 88 / 80 50 30 20 Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport 71 84 71 88 / 90 60 30 20 New Braunfels Muni Airport 70 84 69 88 / 90 50 10 20 Burnet Muni Airport 68 81 68 85 / 80 50 20 10 Del Rio Intl Airport 69 89 71 91 / 70 10 10 0 Georgetown Muni Airport 69 82 69 86 / 80 50 30 20 Hondo Muni Airport 69 83 69 87 / 80 50 10 10 San Marcos Muni Airport 70 84 70 88 / 90 50 20 20 La Grange - Fayette Regional 72 82 70 87 / 80 60 20 40 San Antonio Intl Airport 71 84 71 88 / 90 40 20 10 Stinson Muni Airport 71 84 71 88 / 90 40 10 10 && .EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for TXZ171>173-183>192- 202>206. && SHORT TERM...17 LONG TERM....17 AVIATION...27
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 26, 3:18 PM CDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
318 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0312 PM Hail 11 S Montell 29.38N 99.97W
05/26/2026 M1.25 Inch Uvalde TX Public
&&
BFSpecial weather statement, May 26, 4:11 PM CDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
411 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
TXZ184>186-262145-
Kerr TX-Edwards TX-Real TX-
411 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Kerr,
northeastern Edwards and northwestern Real Counties through 445 PM
CDT...
At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles south of Telegraph, or 20 miles east of Rocksprings, moving
north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Us-377 Near The Kimble-Edwards County Line and Us-83 Near The Kerr-
Kimble County Line.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
south central Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3029 9964 3028 9963 2997 9981 3002 10007
3029 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 201DEG 30KT 3008 9988
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
27Special weather statement, May 26, 4:17 PM CDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
417 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
TXZ186-188-262200-
Gillespie TX-Kerr TX-
417 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Kerr
and western Gillespie Counties through 500 PM CDT...
At 417 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Harper, or 15 miles northwest of Kerrville, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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...
Tivydale, Mountain Home, Doss, and Harper.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
south central Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3050 9902 3010 9911 3011 9938 3029 9936
3029 9930 3050 9931
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 190DEG 17KT 3023 9926
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
27Local storm report, May 26, 4:27 PM CDT, 52 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
427 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM Hail Pearsall 28.89N 99.09W
05/26/2026 M1.00 Inch Frio TX Broadcast Media
1 inch hail reported via media.
&&
CJMLocal storm report, May 26, 4:56 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
456 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0447 PM Hail 1 N Fredericksburg 30.29N 98.87W
05/26/2026 M1.00 Inch Gillespie TX Public
Report from mPING.
&&
MBLocal storm report, May 26, 5:09 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
509 PM CDT Tue May 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 E Pearsall 28.90N 98.99W
05/26/2026 M60 MPH Frio TX Storm Chaser
60mph winds reported 5 miles east of
Pearsall.
&&
CJMThe air that afternoon
The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.
Del Rio, TX (KDRT), 12:00Z
10.3 hours before the tornado, 43 km from the path. May 26, 2026.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 464 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -172 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 901 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1147 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 110 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 175 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.4
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 5.3 K/km
Del Rio, TX (KDRT), 00:00Z
1.7 hours after it, 43 km from the path. May 27, 2026.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 539 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -217 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 2322 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1197 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 59 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 5 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 58 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 44 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -1.1
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 5.3 K/km
The radar
The Laughlin AFB radar (KDFX), 44 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 22:20 UTC.
Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track
Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.
What was reported nearby
Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Report | Where | County | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:21 UTC | TORNADO | 5 N Quemado | Maverick, TX | Corrects previous tornado report from 7 N Quemado. Brief tornado reported 1 mile SSE of US 277. |
| 22:21 UTC | TORNADO | 7 N Quemado | Maverick, TX | Corrects previous tornado report from 9 N Quemado. Brief tornado reported 1 mile SSE of US 277. |
| 22:21 UTC | TORNADO | 9 N Quemado | Maverick, TX | Brief tornado reported 1 mile SSE of US 277. |
| 22:35 UTC | HAIL 1.5 | Quemado | Maverick, TX | Time estimated via chaser and radar. |
| 22:42 UTC | HAIL 1 | 3 Sse Quemado | Maverick, TX | 1 inch hail reported. |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2026 tornado in TexasEvery tornado in Texas since 1950Warnings in force in Texas nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of May 26, 2026
2 more have been surveyed in the United States that day, so far.
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. A survey can be revised, so the rating, the path and the casualties can all still change.
Sources
NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit, the record the survey teams file from the damage, and NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports. Neither is the official database for 2026, which SPC publishes in the spring of 2027.