Weather
Weather news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Weather‘It’s going to rock my freaking world’: Fans wait another day for Starship launch
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Thousands of people gathered at Isla Blanca Park on Thursday hoping to watch SpaceX's Starship Flight 13 lift off, but weather had other plans. Less than two hours before the scheduled launch, SpaceX scrubbed the mission because of weather conditions, marking the second launch cancellation in a week. Despite
WeatherSpaceX reschedules Starship 13th flight test due to weather
SpaceX has postponed the 13th flight test of its Starship rocket due to unfavorable weather conditions. Originally scheduled for Thursday, the launch is now set for Friday, July 24, with the launch window opening at 5:45 p.m. The primary goal of this test is to capture clear images of the Starship's heat shield during ascent at higher dynamic pressure. Residents of Cameron County should be prepared for a loud noise from the rocket's 33 Raptor engines during ignition.
WeatherTropical Storm Bertha moves toward Texas landfall after grazing Louisiana's coast
Tropical Storm Bertha churned toward a second landfall in Texas on Thursday after grazing southern Louisiana in a slow crawl that triggered heavy surf and some flooding along the Gulf Coast but kept the heaviest rains offshore. Bertha was located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Galveston, Texas, late Thursday morning as it crept
Weather5.0 magnitude earthquake shakes parts of Texas Panhandle
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake hit southeast of Spearman early Thursday morning, according to U.S. Geological Survey.
WeatherBertha may bring rain Thursday but heat isn't going anywhere
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Wednesday was hot. We completely smashed old daily climatology records for the three observation sites of McAllen, Harlingen and Brownsville. Thursday will be hot too, but likely not record-breaking hot. There will be highs this afternoon reaching the low 100s for areas along and west of I-69E. Brownsville will be in
WeatherSpaceX Delays Starship Launch
SpaceX announced that it has postponed the thirteenth flight test of Starship to Friday, July 24, due to weather conditions. The company indicated that the forecast suggests visibility will be much better on Friday, allowing for the necessary data collection during the test. The aerospace firm explained that one of the main objectives of this mission is to obtain clear images from the ground of Starship's thermal shield while the spacecraft flies under greater dynamic pressure during ascent, something that would not be possible with the weather conditions expected for this Thursday.
WeatherMagnitude 5.0 Earthquake Shakes Northern Texas
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Miami, a small community in northern Texas, on Thursday morning at 6:21 a.m. ET. The quake, which had a depth of 5.5 km, was centered 24 miles southeast of Spearman. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage or injuries. While Texas is not known for high seismic activity like California or Alaska, there has been a noticeable increase in earthquakes in the western part of the state over the past decade. This earthquake is among the strongest recorded in Texas history, according to the USGS.
WeatherMagnitude 5.0 Earthquake Shakes North Texas
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake was recorded on Thursday in Miami, a small community in north Texas, with no reported damage or injuries so far. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake had a depth of 5.5 km and occurred at 6:21 a.m. ET. Its epicenter was located 24 miles southeast of Spearman, a city in the Texas Panhandle, near the Oklahoma border. How common are earthquakes in Texas? While Texas is not considered a state with high seismic activity like California or Alaska, the western part of the state has seen a notable increase in earthquakes over the past decade. Earthquakes of magnitude 5 or higher remain rare in the state, with most quakes being of lower magnitude and concentrated in west Texas. According to USGS data, this would be one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in Texas.
WeatherTexas floodwaters inundate areas cleared for border wall construction
The Rio Grande is high in San Ygnacio, Texas, located in Zapata County, in deep South Texas. The waters are running fast and brown, pushed by raging floodwaters upriver that brought all kinds of debris and even some loose federal border buoys.
WeatherWild card in the forecast: Bertha could deliver Valley rain
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is set to continue a westward track toward Texas. The storm isn't expected to get stronger, but the eventual path will bring the remnants of the storm close enough to bring the Valley some rain Thursday night. A chance for a few afternoon showers will become a better
WeatherBertha, heat and a chance for showers this Thursday evening
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A little bit of everything is on tap for the Rio Grande Valley through Thursday night. Let’s start with Tropical Storm Bertha. The storm made landfall earlier today between Mississippi and Louisiana, surprisingly still as a tropical storm after battling strong northerly wind shear. That same shear is what’s been pushing most of Bertha’s convection off
WeatherValley first responders urge residents to stay safe during the heat
With a scorching week ahead, first responders in the Rio Grande Valley are advising residents to prioritize safety. Those working outdoors should wear light-colored clothing and take regular breaks to hydrate. Brownsville Fire Department Captain David Rossetti emphasized the importance of consuming electrolytes slowly to avoid illness. He also urged people to recognize heat illness symptoms, such as dizziness and vomiting. In case of severe symptoms like seizures or loss of consciousness, calling 911 is crucial. Staying informed and prepared can help prevent heat-related emergencies during this hot spell.
WeatherRecord heat continues as Tropical Storm Bertha approaches area
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Wednesday will likely mark day three in a row for some record high temperatures to be tied or broken during the afternoon. With mostly sunny skies, most everyone will break into the triple digits, except Brownsville and the coast. The "feels like" temperature will be in the 108-111 range once again.
Weather'Let's stay prepared': City of Alamo hosts sandbag distribution
The city of Alamo is emphasizing the importance of storm preparedness by offering sandbag distribution at various locations. Residents can collect empty sandbags at Alamo City Hall, located at 420 N. Tower Rd., and fill them at the Alamo Sports Complex, Balli Park, or the intersection of Duranta Drive and Professional Drive. Senior citizens and those with disabilities can obtain assistance vouchers at City Hall for help loading sandbags at the Alamo Public Works site, which is open during specific hours. Each household can receive up to five sandbags, while businesses can take two, with proof of residency required.
WeatherThe Valley is on the wrong side of Tropical Storm Bertha
Tropical Storm Bertha is positioned too far north to directly affect the Valley, but its western flank is causing sinking air, leading to clear skies and high temperatures. Residents can expect daytime highs around or above 100 degrees for several days, including the upcoming weekend. Most of the storm's heavy rainfall is anticipated to occur over the Gulf waters. Bertha's movement is being influenced by a frontal boundary in the southern U.S., preventing it from moving north. Additionally, Saharan dust is expected to impact air quality in the Valley through next week.
WeatherPharr and TCEQ host Texas drought and hurricane workshop
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Pharr and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) partnered up to host the Texas Drought and Hurricane Preparedness Workshop on Tuesday. The workshop took place at the Jose "Pepe" Salinas Recreational Center located at 1011 W. Kelly Ave in Pharr. The purpose of the workshop was to
WeatherValley officials warn of elevated fire risk due to weather conditions
Officials in the Rio Grande Valley are alerting residents about an increased risk of wildfires due to current weather conditions, which include humidity and strong winds. These factors can create a hazardous environment for fires to ignite. Last week, multiple fires were reported in the area, with one incident linked to illegal burning practices. Residents of Hidalgo County are reminded that outdoor burning requires a permit from the Hidalgo County Fire Marshal's office to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations.
WeatherHidalgo County emergency officials share hurricane readiness tips
Hidalgo County officials are reminding residents to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which peaks in August and September. Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldana recommends assembling an emergency kit that includes blankets, flashlights, extra cash, batteries, and multi-purpose tools. Residents of the Rio Grande Valley should also store important documents like insurance cards and medical records in waterproof containers. Additionally, officials advise keeping vehicle fuel tanks full and having cash on hand, as power outages may disrupt credit card transactions during emergencies.
WeatherBrownsville Leaders Prepare Ahead of Hurricane Season
Brownsville officials are actively preparing for the upcoming 2026 Atlantic hurricane season through their annual Hurricane Tabletop Exercise. This two-day training involved utility personnel and emergency responders who practiced coordination and emergency planning to protect residents and restore essential services after a storm. Utilizing FEMA’s Incident Command System, participants worked through realistic scenarios to ensure effective responses during disasters. City leaders emphasized the importance of community preparedness, urging residents to store water, create emergency kits, and stay informed about evacuation routes and alerts. The city remains committed to ensuring safety and swift recovery during severe weather events.