Weather
Weather news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Weather7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes the Philippines, Leaving at Least 32 Dead
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, causing significant damage and resulting in at least 32 fatalities and over 200 injuries. The quake, centered offshore near Mindanao, led to building collapses in General Santos City and triggered a 1-meter tsunami that affected coastal areas. Rescue teams are searching for at least 12 people reported missing in General Santos, where infrastructure was severely impacted. The Philippine government has canceled classes and mobilized disaster response agencies. The earthquake is the strongest to hit the country this year, with aftershocks expected. International support has been offered from the U.S., France, and New Zealand.
WeatherA few more showers until mostly dry conditions return to the Valley this week
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As expected, light to moderate showers have been steady over the past couple of hours, with Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo counties seeing the most rainfall. Though Starr County has seen a few spotty showers as well. Rain will continue for the remainder of today, and although we are not expecting any severe
WeatherTropical Depression Two-E Forms in the Pacific
Tropical Depression Two-E has formed in the Pacific, prompting a tropical storm warning for the southern coast of Mexico, from Laguna de Chacahua to Tecpan de Galeana. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that as of noon CT, the system was located 85 miles south of Acapulco, with sustained winds of 35 mph and moving at 6 mph. It is expected to strengthen and could become a tropical storm before reaching the coast early Monday. Residents are urged to prepare for potential heavy rains and flooding as the hurricane season officially began on May 15 for the Pacific and June 1 for the Atlantic.
WeatherDespite the heat and humidity this weekend should be fairly nice
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you're planning to spend the weekend outside in Harlingen, it's gonna be hot, humid, and with a whisper of sea breeze showers each afternoon. Saturday looks partly cloudy with highs pushing up to around 92°F, though the heat index will make it feel closer to the upper 90s. Winds will be
WeatherSharyland baseball state championship game postponed due to weather
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Sharyland Rattlers baseball team's state championship game has been postponed due to weather conditions. The Division II State Championships at Round Rock have been rescheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, where Sharyland will face Lucas Lovejoy. Sharyland is the fifth Valley baseball team to advance to the state championship.
WeatherWeekend rain chances linger, dry week to follow
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rain showers, non severe thunderstorms stay in the forecast through the weekend with highest chances Friday then isolated, spotty showers Saturday and Sunday. Of those two days Saturday looks to be the most dry compared to Sunday. The activity won't be a washout but be mindful that rain is on the
WeatherWith hurricane season underway, South Padre Island urges residents to sign up for emergency alerts
As hurricane season begins, South Padre Island officials are encouraging residents and visitors to enroll in the city's emergency alert system. Managed by Rave Mobile Safety, the system provides alerts via text, phone calls, or email to anyone who registers. Local business owner Michael Sularz emphasized its importance for both residents and employees, noting the unpredictability of power outages during storms. Fire Chief Jim Pigg clarified that the alerts focus on immediate threats, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, rather than general weather updates. The last mass alert was sent during the 2021 freeze. Residents can sign up for alerts online.
Weather$1. 2 million flood warning network aims to give residents hours of notice across the Rio Grande Valley
Cameron County is developing a flood early warning system to provide residents in the Rio Grande Valley with advance notice of potential flooding. Currently, 48 data collection stations are operational, with plans to add at least 18 more. The system aims to give residents several hours of warning, allowing them to take necessary precautions, such as gathering sandbags or important documents. The stations communicate to track rising water levels and send alerts downstream. Funded by the state at a cost of approximately $1.2 million, the project will also aid in determining future flood mitigation efforts. A sign-up link for alerts will be available this fall.
WeatherThunderstorm focus turns to Mexico for Friday weather
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Another warm, humid day is scheduled for Friday with partly cloudy skies and modest southeast winds. The last several days the Valley has seen afternoon, sea breeze thunderstorms roll in from the east. Now the mechanism driving rain chances will shift to out of the southwest. The mechanical mix up will
WeatherRecent rain denting the drought
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —All the rain we have been receiving over the last few weeks is making a definite difference in our drought conditions. New data released Thursday morning shows that some areas of Hidalgo and Starr counties are no longer considered in drought, while areas indicated in yellow are categorized as experiencing dry conditions.
WeatherFans Will Not Be Allowed to Bring Water Bottles to 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Says FIFA
Fans attending the 2026 World Cup matches will be prohibited from entering stadiums with reusable water bottles, a last-minute policy change that could raise concerns about heat during the tournament this summer. 'FIFA made the decision to ban bottles to prevent risks and injuries to players and visitors,' a spokesperson for the global football governing body told NBC News in a statement on Thursday. 'Outside bottles are already banned at several of these venues for security reasons, and FIFA is applying this criterion at the stadiums of its tournament,' the statement noted. The measure comes as heat is expected to be a significant issue during the tournament, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In parts of the southern U.S., daytime temperatures often reach the mid-80s Fahrenheit and higher during June and July. The Club World Cup, held in the U.S. last summer, generated complaints from players and fans about the heat.
WeatherExcessive rain fall in the forecast through Friday
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —The Weather Prediction Center has issued a marginal risk for excessive rainfall across the entire Rio Grande Valley through Friday evening. This outlook is driven by a combination of sea-breeze-induced showers and thunderstorms, along with additional storm development over the Sierra Madre in México. Together, these features create the atmospheric conditions that warrant the advisory. An excessive rainfall outlook indicates an isolated potential for
WeatherDon’t let the sunshine fool you, showers & thunderstorms remain in the forecast
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Just like on Tuesday, rain activity will stay isolated to widely scattered. The severe weather threat is low but not zero; damaging winds and large hail can't be ruled out completely, but, to reiterate, the threat is wicked low. Those who do see anything fire up will see periods of heavy
WeatherTropical Storm Amanda Forms, First of the Pacific Hurricane Season
Tropical Storm Amanda formed on Wednesday in the Pacific, marking the first cyclone of the 2026 hurricane season, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of the NHC's 8:00 a.m. PT bulletin, the system was located 1,475 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour and moving at 8 mph. The system does not pose an immediate threat to land, according to the NHC. The storm is expected to make a turn toward the west and west-southwest with a slower movement this weekend. The NHC forecasts further strengthening in the coming days, followed by weakening. There are currently no warnings or advisories in effect for the tropical storm. The Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, while the Atlantic hurricane season started on Monday, with no cyclones formed in that basin this year.
WeatherI-69E southbound frontage road in Primera reopens following flooding
The southbound frontage road of I-69E in Primera reopened on Tuesday night following a closure due to flooding. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) had issued a flood advisory for the area, which lasted until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, after the region experienced up to three inches of rainfall. While the flooding initially impacted both the northbound and southbound frontage roads, TxDOT confirmed that the northbound road is now clear and safe for travel.
WeatherDisaster recovery loans available for Valley residents following severe storms
A disaster outreach center has opened in San Benito to help residents apply for federal disaster recovery loans, as announced by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These low-interest loans are available for small businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties affected by storms and tornadoes from April 24 to May 1, as well as those impacted by the May 9 storms. Businesses can borrow up to $2 million, while homeowners can apply for loans up to $500,000. The center is located at 705 N. Bowie St. and operates Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Applications for physical damage are due by July 6.
WeatherRio Grande Valley shrimpers adjust work plans as hurricane season begins
As hurricane season begins, shrimpers in the Rio Grande Valley are adjusting their work plans to account for potential tropical weather. EJ Cuevas, who runs Cuevas Trawlers, emphasizes the need to stay informed about weather conditions while shrimping. Unlike those on land, shrimpers often receive storm updates from crews at sea, allowing them to make timely decisions about safety. When storms approach, boats may need to dock at distant ports, and crews prepare by securing vessels with ropes. Cuevas recalls the chaos before Hurricane Dolly, highlighting the unpredictable nature of their work and the importance of safety during this season.
WeatherDaily afternoon showers continue through the week
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The weather is settling into a pretty classic early-June South Texas groove — hot, humid, and just unstable enough to keep things interesting. Things off Wednesday with a mix of sun and clouds and a noticeable uptick in moisture. By the afternoon, expect scattered thunderstorms to bubble up, especially after noon,
WeatherExtreme weather can whip up anxiety. A safety plan can help
Extreme weather events like hurricanes and wildfires can lead to increased anxiety. Mental health experts emphasize the importance of having a safety plan to mitigate stress during such disasters. Ruben Juarez, a health economist, highlights that preparation is crucial for both safety and mental well-being. Creating an evacuation plan and emergency kit can provide a sense of control. It's also vital to communicate openly with children about storms while managing adult conversations to avoid alarming them. Maintaining mental health is essential, as disasters can impact entire communities, even those not directly affected. Support from others and engaging in positive activities can help.