What should you know about Brownsville's weather?
- NWS office
- Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley (BRO)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 32 ft
- Coordinates
- 25.93° N, 97.48° W
- Nearest radar
- KBRO · Brownsville NEXRAD · 4 mi
- County
- Cameron County, TX
- Yearly rain
- 26.8 in
- Warmest month
- August · 87°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 62.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does Brownsville get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 72.6 | 76.2 | 80.6 | 85.7 | 90.3 | 94.0 | 95.0 | 96.3 | 92.2 | 87.3 | 80.3 | 74.2 |
| Low °F | 53.1 | 56.9 | 62.0 | 67.7 | 73.7 | 77.2 | 77.8 | 77.8 | 74.7 | 68.6 | 60.8 | 54.7 |
| Rain (in) | 1.08 | 1.03 | 1.45 | 1.47 | 2.22 | 2.86 | 1.98 | 2.16 | 5.73 | 3.83 | 1.76 | 1.21 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 72.6 | 53.1 | 1.08 |
| Feb | 76.2 | 56.9 | 1.03 |
| Mar | 80.6 | 62.0 | 1.45 |
| Apr | 85.7 | 67.7 | 1.47 |
| May | 90.3 | 73.7 | 2.22 |
| Jun | 94.0 | 77.2 | 2.86 |
| Jul | 95.0 | 77.8 | 1.98 |
| Aug | 96.3 | 77.8 | 2.16 |
| Sep | 92.2 | 74.7 | 5.73 |
| Oct | 87.3 | 68.6 | 3.83 |
| Nov | 80.3 | 60.8 | 1.76 |
| Dec | 74.2 | 54.7 | 1.21 |
BROWNSVILLE, TX US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
Why does the Brownsville weather radar matter so much in hurricane season?
Brownsville has seen a major hurricane come ashore nearby, and radar is how you see the next one's rain bands coming. Hurricane Beulah made landfall near Brownsville on September 20, 1967 as a powerful Category 3 hurricane. The National Weather Service office in Brownsville recorded a peak gust of 109 mph, and gusts were probably higher because the anemometer there was tilted 30 degrees by the wind. The storm surge may have been as high as 15 to 20 feet across coastal Deep South Texas, and around 115 tornadoes were estimated to have spawned from the hurricane.
What did Hurricane Dolly do to the Rio Grande Valley in 2008?
Dolly brought heavy rain and extensive inland flooding to the Valley in July 2008. It made landfall at South Padre Island on July 23 as a Category 1 hurricane. Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches or more fell over parts of the lower Rio Grande Valley, with a maximum of 15 inches at Harlingen. Storm surges of up to 4 feet were observed at South Padre Island, Port Mansfield and the Port of Brownsville. Damage in Brownsville itself was minor and consisted mainly of lost roofing material.
Does the Brownsville area get tornadoes?
Yes, including a deadly one in 2023. Just after 4 AM on May 13, 2023, a mini supercell dropped an EF1 tornado on Laguna Heights near Port Isabel. NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley reports that one person died and eleven others were injured when very substandard buildings were demolished by 85 to 105 mph wind, and a total of 60 buildings in the community were damaged. Tropical systems can add weak ones too: during Dolly, two EF0 tornadoes and a possible tornado were reported in Cameron County.
How hot was Brownsville's record summer of 2023?
Hot enough for Brownsville to set a new summer record for 100 degree days. NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley ranked summer 2023 within the top five hottest on record for all available Lower Rio Grande Valley locations, and several Valley locations, including Brownsville, recorded new monthly average temperatures. Heat advisories, issued for heat index values of 111 or higher for 2 or more hours, went out on nineteen occasions for all or parts of the Lower Valley. Radar will not show heat, so on days like these check the hourly heat index before outdoor work.
How did the February 2021 freeze hit Brownsville?
It brought a killing freeze to the Rio Grande Valley on February 15 and 16, extending to February 20. An NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley review shows iced-over roofs and Royal Palm trees in Brownsville at 7 AM on February 15, 2021. The freeze wiped out sizable numbers of the season's citrus crop, and Royal Palms were decimated in Cameron and parts of Hidalgo County. Radar shows where sleet or freezing rain is falling but not whether it freezes on contact, so check the hourly temperature too.
Why do Brownsville streets flood so easily?
Flat land, clay-rich soil and fast growth all work against drainage. A flood protection plan for the City of Brownsville, published by the Texas Water Development Board, says the flat topography and high alluvial deposits left by the migrating Rio Grande form bowl-like features that fill with water during large rainfall events. The same plan says clay-rich soils keep water from soaking in and that rapid growth raises runoff peaks and volumes. On radar, the warning sign is heavy rain that keeps falling over the same part of town.
When should you check the Brownsville radar?
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30September is Brownsville's wettest month in 1991 to 2020 normals, at 5.73 inches. When a storm is in the Gulf, locals watch for bands moving in past Boca Chica Beach and up US-77.
Severe storm peak
April to JuneAbout 70% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. Squall lines can bring hail and damaging wind, so check the loop before a trip to Resaca de la Palma State Park or the Gladys Porter Zoo.
What else do people ask about the Brownsville radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Brownsville?
NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley (BRO) issues forecasts and warnings for Brownsville. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KBRO, about 4 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KBRO (Brownsville NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley (BRO)
- Severe storms peak from April to June (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KBRO, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley (BRO)
- Severe storms: April to June
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: BROWNSVILLE, TX US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- National Weather Service: Major Hurricane Beulah, September 20, 1967
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Dolly tropical cyclone report
- NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley: Spring 2023 season summary
- NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley: Summer 2023 season summary
- NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley: 2021 weather and climate review
- Texas Water Development Board: Flood protection plan for the City of Brownsville
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology