Weather
Weather news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
WeatherHeat, humidity, and lots of sunshine for the weekend
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It's going to be another hot and humid day for the Valley. It will feel even warmer due to the heat index values. The heat risk will range from a moderate to an extreme level in some areas. If you're going to be outdoors today, make sure to stay cool and
WeatherLa Grulla activates level 5 emergency and restricts water use
LA GRULLA, Texas – The City of La Grulla activated Level 5 of its water conservation plan on Friday, the emergency stage that includes mandatory restrictions to reduce consumption while the system faces pressure and storage issues. The measure took effect immediately on August 21, 2026, through an emergency order issued by La Grulla Mayor Macario Villarreal III. According to the document, the city is conducting necessary maintenance on its raw water pumping facilities, which has temporarily reduced its capacity to produce treated water and recover its storage levels at the rate demanded by current consumption. This is compounded by high water demand that has hindered the recovery of elevated storage levels, causing low pressure in the distribution system. The situation arises while a boil water notice issued on August 20 remains in effect for customers located north of U.S. Highway 83. What is prohibited during Level 5? As part of the mandatory restrictions, the city requests that water be used only for essential needs, including drinking, cooking, personal hygiene, sanitation, medical needs, animal care, and fire protection. While the emergency is active: Watering gardens and lawns with city water is prohibited, including automatic systems and hoses. Washing vehicles, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, buildings, equipment, and other surfaces is prohibited, except when immediately necessary for health, sanitation, safety, or fire protection reasons. Filling or replenishing pools, decorative ponds, and fountains that do not recirculate water is not allowed, unless specifically authorized for public health or structural integrity reasons. The use of hydrants is restricted to firefighting, health and public safety, and essential city water system operations. Their use for construction is suspended unless authorized in writing. Customers must stop any runoff caused by irrigation systems, repair leaks they can control, and suspend any other non-essential water use or waste. The city will also suspend non-essential municipal water uses and will continue to monitor pumping, production, pressure, tank levels, demand, and water quality. Authorities warn that violations of the restrictions may result in measures such as warnings, corrective notices, flow restrictions, or service suspension, among other actions permitted by the city's contingency plan. When will the restrictions end? The order will remain in effect until modified or rescinded in writing. According to the document, Level 5 may be reduced or terminated once the conditions that triggered the emergency have ceased for at least three consecutive days and the city determines it can reliably maintain pressure, storage, water quality, and essential services. However, authorities clarify that the boil water notice is an independent measure and can only be lifted when the corresponding regulatory requirements are met.
WeatherCatch the partial lunar eclipse in the Rio Grande Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Sky watchers across the Rio Grande Valley will have a good reason to look up next Thursday night, with a partial lunar eclipse. The eclipse begins at 8:23 p.m., with the partial phase starting around 9:33 p.m. Maximum eclipse happens at 11:12 p.m., when 96 percent of the Moon will be
WeatherValley Storm Team: Looking ahead to the weekend
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — High pressure, that's stubbornly not breaking down anytime soon, is in full force across the Four Corners, keeping the Valley sunny, rain-free and hot! This is what Meteorologist Lexie Walker and Forecaster Craig Verley talked about in this week's episode of Valley Storm Team. The Atlantic basin is anticipated to stay
WeatherRichard Moore Outdoor Report: Parched Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Struggling across parched earth, this trio of young alligators marches toward a remnant of receding wetlands. Throughout South Texas wildlands, ephemeral wetlands are steadily vanishing as relentless drought prevails. This tepid pool provides temporary sanctuary for the gator family as a dozen young cluster near the watchful gaze of their mother. Wherever
WeatherHeat and humidity continues in the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The ugly combination of higher temperatures and humidity will continue to make anything outdoors a bit challenging Thursday and the next several days. Heat index values will approach 110 in some areas of the Valley this afternoon. That leads to heat stress levels on the body that can become dangerous quickly
Weather6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Peru; Tremor Felt in Lima
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook parts of Peru on Thursday. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake's epicenter was located about 20 miles northwest of Hapahuacho. The tremor was felt in the Ayacucho area and in Lima. So far, no fatalities or material damage have been reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 45 miles and was felt in several regions of southern Peru, including Ica and Arequipa.
WeatherElevated fire danger and stubborn Saharan dust dominates the forecast
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A broad stretch of high pressure continues to dominate Texas, keeping our pattern locked into hot, dry, triple‑digit days. Throughout the rest of the week, this setup holds firm, meaning little to no rain and temperatures staying well above average. Thursday’s heat risk looks very similar to what we’ve seen in
WeatherExtreme heat and high humidity expected all week in the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A very strong, somewhat stubborn, upper-level ridge sitting over the Four Corners is going to enforce hot and rain-free conditions through the entire forecast period. All week long, look for morning clouds giving way to afternoon sunshine. Each day, highs will reach the upper 90s along the coast to around 106° in
WeatherThe dog days of summer are biting the Valley hard with triple digit temperatures
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Rio Grande Valley is known for stretches of hot weather in summer and the next few days will be no exception. A dome of high pressure is sitting atop Texas, and the entire region, providing the perfect conditions for sunny, hot weather. Those who have been around a while call
WeatherDouble whammy high pressure brings the heat
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — While a big area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere centered over the Southwestern United States is the main culprit behind the heat dome effect bringing us a hot few days, it is getting a bit of an assist from a little helper. That helper is an area of high
WeatherAnother high-pressure system brings more heat across the Rio Grande Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Another high‑pressure system parked over the Four Corners is once again steering more heat into the Rio Grande Valley, keeping our pattern locked into dry weather, sinking air, and plenty of sunshine. With this northwest‑positioned ridge strengthening through the week, temperatures across Texas will surge, and the areas most likely to
WeatherA look ahead in the weekly forecast with the Valley Storm Team
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Dry conditions continue to dominate the Rio Grande Valley as another strong high‑pressure system settles over the Four Corners, reinforcing a pattern of sinking air, no clouds, no showers, and lots of sunshine. Temperatures surge into triple digits, paired with higher heat index values that push the “real feel” even hotter.
WeatherFew showers are on the table in the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It is the middle of August and the forecast does not look to stray away from the hot and mostly dry conditions through the extended forecast. Over the next seven days, we are anticipating temperatures to stay near to slightly above normal, with most afternoons peaking in the triple digits outside
WeatherFew showers are on the table in the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It is the middle of August and the forecast does not look to stray away from the hot and mostly dry conditions through the extended forecast. Over the next seven days, we are anticipating temperatures to stay near to slightly above normal, with most afternoons peaking in the triple digits outside
WeatherDrought and heat put strain on Willacy County cattle operations
Ranchers in Raymondville, Willacy County, are facing challenges due to extreme summer heat and drought, which are affecting livestock hydration. Rancher Mitchell Thomas emphasizes the importance of ensuring his cattle have access to fresh water and shade. He has multiple wells and windmills on his ranch to maintain water supply, but he notes that groundwater levels are declining, raising concerns about water quality and potential salt contamination. Meteorologist Jay Martin indicates that the area has experienced insufficient rainfall to alleviate drought conditions, necessitating significant rain to improve groundwater levels. Ranchers are urged to monitor their animals for signs of heat stress.
WeatherNice hot weekend with lots of sun and dusty dust across the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- This weekend is shaping up to be about as close to normal as it gets for mid-August across Deep South Texas. Expect plenty of sunshine, moderate southeast winds, and afternoon temperatures climbing into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees. For comparison, average high temperatures this time of year are 97
WeatherMore than 1,800 AEP customers without power in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — AEP Texas is reporting that more than 1,800 customers in Harlingen are without power. As of 3:30 p.m. Friday, there are approximately 1,831 Harlingen residents without power. The power outages are reportedly affecting neighborhoods surrounding Loop 499 on the northeast side of the city. This is a developing story. Check back
WeatherA bit of dust, a tiny rain chance, and a lot of heat
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Our frenemy, Saharan dust, will be making for a bit of haze in our skies Friday and much of the weekend. While the plume is not expected to be really thick, the haze may be noticeable. The other big noticeable thing today will be the heat, combined with humidity. The heat