Cameron County, TX hail & severe wind history
141 storm reports on file for Cameron County between 2010-05-18 and 2026-05-27 — 44 hail and 97 severe thunderstorm wind. That averages 8.3 reports a year, and Apr is the busiest month.
Hail reports
44
2.6 per year
Largest hail
3.01"
grapefruit size · 2017-04-02
Strongest gust
89 mph
77 kt · 2023-05-09
Reported damage
$5.8M
property + crop, as filed
Storm days
50
distinct days with a report
Busiest year
2023
52 reports
Search every Cameron County report
Filter the full record below — pick a year, narrow to a month, or drag the hail-size slider to see only the storms big enough to dent a roof (1" and up is the usual threshold insurers care about).
141 of 141 reports match.
Reports by month for the current filter — the shape of Cameron County’s storm season.
| Date | Type | Size / gust | Nearest location | Report detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-27 08:32 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | .93 mi SE of Port Isabel Arpt | AWOS site at Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport measured a wind gusts of 61 mph. |
| 2026-05-27 09:15 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | 1.99 mi WSW of Boca Chica | A SpaceX employee reported a 61 mph wind gust at Starbase. |
| 2026-05-20 06:26 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .93 mi SE of Port Isabel Arpt | Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport measured a wind gust of 64 mph. |
| 2026-05-09 09:11 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | 1.38 mi S of Palmetal | Just after 1000 AM CDT May 9, 2026, a strong microburst descended in central Cameron County from a small but potent line of thunderstorms and produced damage along a west-northwest to east-southeast oriented line starting from Harlingen, TX through Laureles, TX. Overall damage was observed to traffic lights, several h… |
| 2026-05-09 09:21 | Hail | 0.75" penny | .69 mi S of Palmetal | The public reported hail up to 0.75 inches in diameter 2 miles south of Harlingen. |
| 2026-05-09 09:30 | Wind | 71 kt 82 mph | 1.51 mi NNE of Russellton | The mesonet station TWB79 Russell Farms measured a wind gusts of 71 knots or 82 mph. |
| 2026-05-09 10:00 | Wind | 60 kt 69 mph | .62 mi E of Laguna Vista | The mesonet station DW 1996 Laguna Vista measured a wind gusts of 60 knots or 69 mph. |
| 2026-05-09 10:03 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 3.79 mi NNE of Port Isabel | A public report and video received by an NWS employee indicated hail of various sizes covering the ground along the beach (Gulf Blvd.) in the City of South Padre Island. According to the observer, several hailstones reached golf ball size (1.75) as the storm raced through. |
| 2025-11-01 21:36 | Hail | 1" quarter | .62 mi E of Los Fresnos | Public reported hail of 1 inch in diameter one mile east of Los Fresnos, TX. |
| 2025-11-01 21:45 | Wind | 58 kt 67 mph | .93 mi NE of Rancho Viejo | A retired NWS Employee reported a tree and a large branch down. |
| 2025-11-01 21:45 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 7.38 mi NE of Monte Grande | The public reported estimated hail size of 1.25 inches in Arroyo City, TX. |
| 2025-11-01 21:58 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 0 mi N of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | NWS Brownsville observed and measured hail of 1.25 inches at the weather office just northeast of Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. |
| 2025-11-01 22:00 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.42 mi ESE of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | Public reported quarter size hail 5 miles east of Brownsville, TX. |
| 2025-05-30 12:15 | Wind | 48 kt 55 mph | 1.42 mi ENE of Evan | A public report of mixed small and large tree (limbs) occurred in north Brownsville near Cameron Park. |
| 2025-03-28 00:02 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 0 mi N of Santa Rosa | The Cameron County Office of Emergency Management reported a small shed blown down by strong thunderstorms winds in Santa Rosa. |
| 2025-03-27 02:00 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | 2.54 mi E of Port Isabel | The C-MAN station at Brazos Santiago, just inshore of the Isla Blanca jetty but adjacent to the park on the barrier island, recorded a 51 knot gust at 2 AM CST on March 27th. No damage was reported as of this writing. |
| 2024-05-13 19:31 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | .69 mi S of Bayview | Bayview recorded a peak wind gust of 59 mph. |
| 2024-05-13 19:40 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 0 mi N of Olmito | At least 3 power poles were reported down along and east of I-69E between Rancho Viejo and Olmito. |
| 2023-09-16 15:08 | Wind | 64 kt 74 mph | .38 mi WSW of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | The Valley International Airport ASOS in Harlingen recorded two wind gusts in excess of 70 mph the afternoon of September 16th in association with a downburst. The first gust over 70 mph occurred at 4:08PM CDT with a wind direction from the northwest. The second gust of 74 mph happened 11 minutes later from the east-s… |
| 2023-06-08 05:50 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .93 mi NW of San Benito | Public relayed via social media that a RV jack was bent, and the trailer was pushed back about 2 feet due to thunderstorm winds. Time approximated by radar. |
| 2023-06-08 06:05 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .92 mi W of Portway Acres | NWS Employee reported sign damage at Dunkin Donuts and Popeyes on Boca Chica Blvd. Time estimated by radar. |
| 2023-06-05 14:18 | Hail | 2" hen egg | 3.51 mi S of Monte Grande | Member of the public shared a picture of a hail stone estimated to be around 2 inches. Timing based on radar. |
| 2023-06-05 14:30 | Hail | 1" quarter | .93 mi NW of San Benito | Member of the public shared a picture of quarter size hail in the San Benito area. Timing based report given by the public and radar. |
| 2023-06-05 14:33 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 1.86 mi E of Laureles | An NWS employee reported hail of penny to nickel size around 3:33PM CDT northeast of Los Fresnos. |
| 2023-06-05 14:49 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.18 mi ENE of Evan | Canopy lifted from a tented play area at the Centro Cultural of Cameron Park, per pictures from the Emergency Manager. |
| 2023-06-05 14:53 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.56 mi NNW of Portway Acres | Member of the public shared a picture of large palm tress down across the westbound lane of Coffee Road, near Casa de Oro. Several pieces of private fencing were knocked down as a result of the downed palm trees. Timing based on radar. |
| 2023-06-05 14:53 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .93 mi NW of Portway Acres | Member of the public shared a picture of a telephone pole snapped in half near Perez Elementary School at the corner of Renfro Blvd and Shidler Drive in Brownsville. Timing based on radar. |
| 2023-06-04 18:19 | Wind | 71 kt 82 mph | .68 mi ESE of Primera | The ASOS station at Valley International Airport (KHRL) gusted above 58 mph for at least 12 minutes from 7:19PM CDT until 7:31PM CDT. The strongest gust of 82 mph was recorded at 7:31PM CDT. |
| 2023-06-04 18:32 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 1.38 mi S of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | An NWS Employee sent in a picture of a power pole leaning on Grimes Rd east of the Fire Station. Time estimated by radar and the wind gust recorded at Valley International Airport (KHRL) during the event. |
| 2023-06-04 18:45 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .28 mi W of San Benito | An NWS employee reported several large tree limbs down near the intersection of S Travis Street and W Landrum Street in San Benito. Timing based on radar. |
| 2023-06-04 18:45 | Hail | 2" hen egg | 1.79 mi NNE of San Benito Muni Arpt | A member of the public shared a picture of a hail stone around 2 inches in diameter. Time estimated by the report and radar. |
| 2023-06-04 18:50 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.4 mi E of Los Cuates | An off-duty NWS Employee noted between one and two dozen medium to large limbs of mostly mesquite trees blown down along Interstate 69E between exits 18 and 12. Time estimated from other reports and radar. |
| 2023-06-04 19:07 | Hail | 1" quarter | .93 mi SW of Olmito | A member of the public reported quarter sized hail at 8:07 PM in north Brownsville through social media. |
| 2023-06-04 19:08 | Hail | 2" hen egg | .62 mi E of Villa Cavazos | Member of the public shared a picture of hail with an estimated size of 2 inches from the corner of FM1421 and FM1732 in Cameron County. Time estimated by radar. |
| 2023-06-04 19:11 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 1.42 mi WNW of Evan | A member of the public reported pea and nickel sized hail at the Brownsville Flea Market around 8:11 PM. Time estimated by the time of the report and radar. |
| 2023-06-04 19:13 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | .69 mi N of Villa Nueva | Member of the public shared pictures of three hail stones all larger than a quarter. They were estimated to be about the size of a golf ball. Time estimated by radar. |
| 2023-06-04 19:15 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 1.52 mi SSW of Maudlin Arpt | Member of the public shared pictures of three hail stones all larger than a quarter. They were estimated to be about the size of a golf ball. Time estimated by radar. |
| 2023-06-04 19:15 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .69 mi N of Villa Nueva | Trained spotter called to report half dollar sized hail at Riverbend Resort in Brownsville, TX. |
| 2023-05-09 00:15 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .93 mi SW of Rancho Viejo | An NWS employee reported a tree trunk, approximately 18 inches in diameter, split in half. Estimated wind speed of 60 mph. |
| 2023-05-09 00:15 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .93 mi SW of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | The ASOS station at Brownsville-South Padre International Airport gusted to 64 mph at 1:19AM CDT, with several gusts above 60 mph between 1:15AM CDT and 1:32AM CDT. |
| 2023-05-09 00:25 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.86 mi E of Laureles | An NWS employee reported a metal carport was blown over and across the street in Los Fresnos. Time estimated from radar. |
| 2023-05-09 00:35 | Wind | 57 kt 66 mph | 0 mi N of Boca Chica | Private meteorologist reported a wind gust of 73 mph at 100 feet in elevation near Boca Chica Beach with wind gusts above 58 mph starting around 1:35AM CDT. The highest gust was recorded at 1:53AM CDT. |
| 2023-05-09 00:44 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | .64 mi E of Bayside | An NWS Storm Survey conducted in the Laguna Heights area found several damaged trees, which supports wind gusts estimated at 75 mph. A large ash tree had its trunk snapped in two places near the intersection of Van Buren Street and Harding Street. A manufactured home lost some shingles and uplifted a portion of metal… |
| 2023-05-09 00:48 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .62 mi W of Port Isabel | Port Isabel police department reported several powerlines down around town. Timing based on radar. While wind speeds are estimated, the NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) at Port Isabel (PTIT2) recorded wind gusts of 52 knots, or 60 mph, at 1:54AM CDT. |
| 2023-05-09 00:48 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.86 mi W of Port Isabel | The Port Isabel Police Department shared pictures on social media showing damage to the Sunoco Gas station awning at the corner of Highway 48 and Highway 100 and an ice chest that had moved several feet from the front of the building. Several pictures of powerlines down were also shown. NOAA's National Ocean Service (… |
| 2023-05-09 00:48 | Wind | 77 kt 89 mph | 2.63 mi E of Port Isabel | An NWS Storm Survey was conducted on South Padre Island and found several areas of damage along South Padre Island. The survey found a couple of downed fences in the Isla Blanca area on the southern side of the island along with a couple of flipped recreational vehicles (RVs) that were exposed to the wind but only anc… |
| 2023-05-09 00:49 | Wind | 77 kt 89 mph | 2.18 mi E of Port Isabel | The aerostat site anemometer at the South Padre Island Coast Guard station reported a peak wind gust of 77.3 knots, or 89 mph, at 1:49AM CDT. |
| 2023-04-29 00:01 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | 1.29 mi W of La Feria | An NWS Storm Survey found several power poles and transmission lines blown down along US 83 near Bixby Road in western Cameron County. |
| 2023-04-29 00:07 | Wind | 70 kt 81 mph | .64 mi WNW of Los Indios | An NWS Storm Survey found several down trees and a partially peeled back roof of an industrial warehouse in the Los Indios area of Cameron County. |
| 2023-04-29 00:12 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 1.53 mi NNW of Harlingen | An NWS Storm Survey found several tree branches down in the Harlingen area, including one near the intersection of W Wichita Ave and Fair Park Blvd. On the eastern side of Harlingen, several windows were blown out at the Cardenas BMW on N Ed Carey Dr. The ASOS at Valley International Airport in Harlingen was used as a… |
| 2023-04-29 00:14 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | 1.51 mi NNW of Palmetal | The ASOS station at Valley International Airport in Harlingen recorded a wind gust of 53 knots at 1:14AM CDT. Additional wind gusts over 50 knots were recorded between 1:14AM CDT and 1:22AM CDT. |
| 2023-04-29 00:25 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | .93 mi NW of Brownsville | Member of the public shared two large trees either uprooted or snapped near the base of the tree near the intersection of Del Mar and Russell Avenue. Timing based on radar. |
| 2023-04-29 00:30 | Wind | 55 kt 63 mph | 2.16 mi NNW of Portway Acres | Member of the public shared a picture of several large trees down at the corner of Ruben Torres and Hudson Blvd, or near the Walmart. Timing estimated by radar. |
| 2023-04-29 00:33 | Wind | 54 kt 62 mph | 1.51 mi SSE of Port Isabel Arpt | The ASOS at Cameron County Airport recorded wind gusts of 54 knots between 1:33AM CDT and 1:38AM CDT. |
| 2023-04-29 00:36 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | 1.14 mi WSW of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | An official with the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport reported some minor damage to a few hangers on the property. A portion of the roof of a hanger on the northeastern side of the property caved in slightly, allowing water to enter the hanger. The garage door on the northwest side of the property… |
| 2023-04-29 00:41 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | .93 mi NW of Portway Acres | The ASOS at the Brownsville/SPI International Airport (KBRO) recorded a wind gust of 53 knots at 1:41AM CDT. |
| 2023-04-28 23:59 | Wind | 74 kt 85 mph | 3.83 mi E of Retampego | An NWS Storm Survey found several areas of damage in and around the Santa Maria area in southwestern Cameron County. Most of the damage was to hard and softwood trees with several large branches snapped or broken. There was also a power pole that was broken on the west side of Santa Maria and a semi trailer blown over… |
| 2023-04-23 12:03 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | .62 mi W of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | The ASOS at Valley International Airport (KHRL) in Harlingen recorded a wind gust of 53 knots, or 61 mph, at 1:02PM CDT. |
| 2023-04-23 12:05 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | A storm survey conducted by NWS personal found wind damage consistent with wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph. Several softwood trees were found with broke branches from Rio Hondo to about 1.5 miles east of Rio Hondo along General Brant Road. There were also several buildings with damage, including loss of wood or metal roof… |
| 2023-04-23 12:15 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | 0 mi N of Los Fresnos | An NWS Storm Survey conducted the evening of April 23rd found wind damage consistent with 65 to 75 mph wind gusts between Los Fresnos to Bayview along and north of Old Port Road. Some of the strongest winds were found near along Calle Hermosa where a large pine tree trunk was split. Also, a metal roof of the parish ha… |
| 2023-04-23 12:28 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.96 mi W of Port Brownsville | An NWS Employee reported two power poles blown over along Ruben Torres Blvd, just west of Oscar Dancy, across the street from Bella Vista Apartments. Time estimated by report of power outage by another NWS employee and radar. |
| 2023-04-23 12:36 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | 4.19 mi NNE of Port Isabel | Powerlines and traffic lights were downed at the intersection of Highway 100 and Padre Blvd on South Padre Island. Additional images from social media show the sign for the Coral Reef Lounge that had fallen on top of a Camaro. Time approximated based on radar and time report was received. |
| 2023-04-23 12:38 | Wind | 59 kt 68 mph | .48 mi SE of Port Isabel Arpt | The ASOS at Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport (KPIL) recorded at wind gust of 59 knots, or 68 mph, at 1:38PM CDT. |
| 2023-04-23 12:42 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | .69 mi NW of Port Isabel | A palm tree was blown down in front of the Port Isabel Lighthouse and fell across Highway 100, blocking most of the west bound lanes. Time was estimated by radar and the 57 mph gust at Port Isabel's NOAA National Ocean Service site (PTIT2) about 0.6 miles away. |
| 2023-04-23 12:47 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | .93 mi SW of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | The ASOS at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport (KBRO) recorded a wind gust of 51 knots, or 59 mph, at 1:47PM CDT. |
| 2023-04-21 15:01 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 0 mi N of Santa Rosa | Several reports of quarter to half dollar sized hail in northwestern Cameron County from 5 miles west of Harlingen to near Santa Rosa and La Feria. |
| 2023-04-21 15:15 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .93 mi NE of La Feria | Multiple people reported hail of 0.5 inch to 1.25 inches in the La Feria area of Cameron County. |
| 2023-04-21 15:15 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.24 mi W of Adams Gardens | A HAM radio operator reported nickel (0.88) to quarter (1.0) sized hail on the north side of La Feria. |
| 2023-04-21 15:19 | Hail | 1" quarter | 0 mi N of Santa Rosa | A member of the public reported quarter (1.0) sized hail in the Santa Rosa area. |
| 2023-04-21 15:30 | Hail | 1" quarter | .93 mi SE of Stuart Place | An NWS Employee measured quarter (1.0) sized hail on the southwest side of Harlingen. |
| 2022-05-25 05:20 | Wind | 58 kt 67 mph | .62 mi W of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | The ASOS station at the Rio Grande Valley International Airport (KHRL) recorded a wind gust of 58 knots, or 67 mph, at 6:20AM CDT. |
| 2022-05-25 05:29 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | .93 mi SE of Port Isabel Arpt | The ASOS station at Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport (KPIL) recorded a gust of 50 knots, or 58 mph, at 6:29AM CDT with the squall line that came through Cameron County. |
| 2022-05-25 05:48 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 2.48 mi E of Port Isabel | The Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at SPI Brazos Santiago, right near the entrance to Port of Brownsville at the southern tip of South Padre Island, recorded a wind gust of 61 knots, or 70 mph. |
| 2022-05-25 05:54 | Wind | 54 kt 62 mph | 1.86 mi E of Port Isabel | The Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at the South Padre Island Coast Guard Station recorded a wind gust of 54 knots, or 62 mph. This site is on the western side of South Padre Island, about 0.3 miles west of the entrance to Isla Blanca State Park. |
| 2022-05-25 06:00 | Wind | 63 kt 72 mph | 1.24 mi W of Boca Chica | Social media report from SpaceX says their weather station recorded a wind gust of 63 knots, or 73 mph. This site is located approximately 1 mile west of Boca Chica Beach. |
| 2022-05-25 06:07 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .62 mi W of Laureles | Downed healthy tree in the middle of the road with 6-8 inch diameter trunk near Los Fresnos/Laureles on Kretz Road between FM803 and FM1575. |
| 2021-10-22 14:40 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 1.26 mi WSW of Harlingen | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 50 knots downed several large tree limbs and felled at least one large mesquite when its base snapped, ripped 3 to 4 pieces of roofing off of a carport on Hoy Street, and lofted a trampoline into powerlines. Damage value is estimated.||Note: The estimated wind gust of 50 knots is equiva… |
| 2021-10-01 18:55 | Wind | 48 kt 55 mph | .62 mi E of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | NWS Employee reports tree down on North Indiana Ave just north of Boca Chica Blvd near Rick's Auto Service. |
| 2021-09-30 04:37 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.04 mi SSW of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | The Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport recorded a wind gust to 52 knots/60 mph as severe thunderstorms moved through the area. |
| 2021-05-12 01:10 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 54.02 mi SSE of Huisaches | An off-duty NWS Employee noted five large limbs blown down from mesquite trees in west-central San Benito. Wind speed estimated based on similar accounts of tree damage with the same squall line. |
| 2021-05-12 01:18 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.52 mi NNE of Brownsville | Off-duty NWS Employee reported several tree limbs up to 5 inches in diameter snapped off of trees nearby. Time and duration was estimated via radar. |
| 2020-08-01 19:30 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .93 mi SW of Stuart Place | A large metal awning from a local convenient gas station severely damaged and partially blown off. Wind gusts of at least 60 mph were estimated to have occurred at the intersection of Bass Blvd and Business 83 at 8:30 PM CDT when a strong thunderstorm moved through the area. |
| 2020-05-16 08:05 | Wind | 53 kt 61 mph | .93 mi SE of Port Isabel Arpt | ASOS reported a wind gust of 61 mph in eastern Cameron County. |
| 2020-04-29 10:36 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 2.47 mi E of Port Isabel | The observation platform at Brazos Santiago, just inshore of the entrance to the Brownsville Ship Channel and along the south side of the Isla Blanca jetty, recorded a wind gusts of 50.54 knots at 1136 AM local time. No damage was reported on the southern tip of South Padre Island. |
| 2019-10-21 01:06 | Wind | 65 kt 75 mph | 3.32 mi ENE of Los Fresnos | A line of strong thunderstorms developed over the lower Rio Grande Valley and quickly became severe as it progressed eastward across Cameron County. Within the line, a very notable downburst developed just ahead of Bayview and caused destructive straight-line winds. Widespread tree damage was surveyed, in addition to… |
| 2019-10-21 01:24 | Wind | 61 kt 70 mph | 2.72 mi NE of Port Isabel | A cluster of potent thunderstorms developed in northeastern Mexico and moved north into Cameron County early Sunday morning. Within this cluster of storms, a strong linear downburst crossed South Padre Island from 1:24 AM CST to 1:40 AM CST. The South Padre Island Police Department reported downed power lines in betwe… |
| 2019-09-10 11:26 | Wind | 47 kt 54 mph | 0 mi N of Harlingen Airpark Ar | The automated surface observing system at Harlingen/Valley International Airport reported a wind gust to 54 mph. A few power outages and minor tree damage was noted in the area. |
| 2019-04-25 01:40 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 1 mi W of Harlingen | A report of nickel sized hail was received from the public, at the intersection of New Hampshire Ave. and I-69E in Harlingen. |
| 2019-04-07 08:15 | Wind | 64 kt 74 mph | 1.42 mi ESE of Santa Rosa | The squall line that originally developed in Starr and Zapata County weakened a bit over western and central Hidalgo County, still producing wind gusts up to 53 mph. The central part of the line re-intensified over eastern Hidalgo County, and as it reached Cameron County began producing several reports of wind damage.… |
| 2019-04-07 08:15 | Wind | 64 kt 74 mph | 2.2 mi S of Combes | The squall line that originally developed in Starr and Zapata County weakened a bit over western and central Hidalgo County, still producing wind gusts up to 53 mph. The central part of the line re-intensified over eastern Hidalgo County, and as it reached Cameron County began producing several reports of wind damage… |
| 2018-08-12 14:17 | Wind | 40 kt 46 mph | 0 mi N of (Bro)Brownsville Arp | Thunderstorm winds of just over 45 mph knocked down several palm fronds and blew unfastened lawn furniture around portions of the City of Brownsville to Los Fresnos. Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport recorded a wind gust of 46 mph at 2:17 PM CST. |
| 2018-08-12 14:32 | Wind | 45 kt 52 mph | 1.33 mi WNW of Los Fresnos | Thunderstorm winds of between 45 and 52 mph knocked down several palm fronds and blew unfastened lawn furniture around portions of the City of Los Fresnos to Harlingen. Harlingen/Valley International Airport recorded a wind gust of 52 mph at 2:46 PM CST. |
| 2017-06-05 16:20 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.67 mi SSE of Monte Grande | Trees and tree limbs down along General Brant Road near Olmito North Road. |
| 2017-06-05 16:35 | Wind | 51 kt 59 mph | 0 mi N of Port Isabel Arpt | KPIL ASOS reported 51 knot thunderstorm wind gust. |
| 2017-06-05 16:48 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .62 mi E of Bayside | Winds of an estimated 60 mph lifted a tin roof, knocked down a fence, and damaged an above ground pool at a home in Laguna Heights. |
| 2017-04-02 20:03 | Hail | 1.75" golf ball | 1.39 mi WSW of Primera | Golf ball size hail reported in north Harlingen at the intersection of 7th Street and Vinson. Hail from this particular storm caused an unknown amount of damage at auto dealerships along Interstate Highway 2, on the west side of Harlingen. Information will be updated as data are received. |
| 2017-04-02 20:03 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 2.07 mi N of Stuart Place | NWS employee reported half dollar size hail that lasted for 8 to 10 minutes. |
| 2017-04-02 20:05 | Hail | 2.75" baseball | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | Rio Hondo Police reported baseball size hail. Windshields of four vehicles in possession of the city of Rio Hondo broken due to hail. Unknown roof damage was also likely; details and damage estimates will be provided as information is received. |
| 2017-04-02 20:09 | Hail | 1" quarter | 0 mi N of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | Quarter size hail reported by FAA at Valley International Airport. |
| 2017-04-02 20:15 | Hail | 2.5" tennis ball | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | Tennis ball size hail reported via social media. |
| 2017-04-02 20:17 | Hail | 2.5" tennis ball | 1.24 mi E of Monte Grande | Tennis ball size hail reported. Vehicles dented and windshields damaged and chickens killed. |
| 2017-04-02 20:20 | Hail | 3.01" grapefruit | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | Measured hail report of 3.01 inches via social media. Hail broke windshield at residence with other windshields broken in neighborhood. |
| 2017-04-02 20:33 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | 1.86 mi SW of Primera | NWS employee reports half dollar size hail on the north side of Harlingen. |
| 2016-06-04 09:33 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 0 mi N of Rancho Viejo | Thunderstorm winds uprooted two large trees and broke several large limbs near the Rancho Viejo Country Club Golf Course and in nearby yards. |
| 2016-06-02 18:15 | Wind | 44 kt 51 mph | 2.54 mi ENE of Port Isabel | Thunderstorm wind gusts downed an insecure and improperly installed metal awning onto a truck at the 410 Plaza on South Padre Island. |
| 2016-04-21 15:02 | Hail | 1" quarter | .45 mi ENE of Olmito | Public reported quarter sized hail in Olmito near the intersection of Noble Pine and Chestnut Oak. |
| 2016-04-18 19:40 | Hail | 1" quarter | 3.38 mi NE of Port Isabel | Several public reports through social media of quarter sized hail on South Padre Island. |
| 2016-04-18 21:09 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.49 mi NNW of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | Harlingen Police Department reported power lines down at 809 West Hanson, 1307 North Ann Street, 1506 South G Street, 629 North 13th Street, the intersections of Tyler and L, 25th and Rio Hondo Road, and Grimes and Morgan. The winds also blew some shingles off one apartment complex, and blew off at least one poorly fa… |
| 2016-04-18 21:16 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 0 mi N of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | ASOS at the Rio Grande Valley International Airport in Harlingen recorded a peak wind gust of 58 mph. |
| 2016-04-18 21:26 | Wind | 43 kt 49 mph | 1.36 mi WNW of Brownsville | Brownsville Police Department reported three electrical poles down along U.S. Highway 281. |
| 2015-08-17 17:05 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .97 mi S of Combes | Microburst produced 60 mph winds that removed the roof from an old outbuilding roof, removed a new tin roof from an outdoor shed, as well as broken numerous tree limbs from mesquite, cottonwood, sycamore, and poplar trees. |
| 2015-08-17 17:17 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 1.9 mi N of Stuart Place | Microburst produced 60 to 65 mph winds that flipped an unanchored Gulfstream trailer, partialy removed the roof at an auto dealershpi on Altas Palmas Road, knocked down telephone poles, as well as broken hundred of tree limbs from mesquite, cottonwood, sycamore, and poplar trees, two of which fell onto a residence and… |
| 2015-05-12 00:25 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.33 mi NW of La Feria | La Feria Police Department reported a utility pole leaning heavily on a palm tree due to thunderstorm wind gusts at the intersection of Frontage Road and Solis Road and a tree blown down in the alley between 7th and 8th streets. |
| 2015-04-24 22:20 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.28 mi ESE of Bluetown | Cameron County Sheriffs Office and the La Feria Police Department reported trees blown down on Parker Road and on FM 506 South of Clark Road. |
| 2015-04-24 22:25 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1.9 mi SE of Stuart Place | Cameron County Sheriffs Office reported trees blown down onto Hand Road in Combs, utility wires blown down onto the road in Primera, and a medium size tree down on a car in Primera. Harlingen Police Department reported two medium size trees blown down on Garrett Road in Harlingen. |
| 2015-04-24 22:25 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 3.43 mi W of San Benito | San Benito Police Department reported trees blown down onto South Sam Houston, downed utility wires at the intersection of South Dick Dowling and Rowsen and on Zillock Road, and a trampoline blown into a house that caused winds to break on San Jacinto Drive. |
| 2015-04-24 22:30 | Hail | 1" quarter | 0 mi N of Los Indios | Trained spotter reported quarter size hail in Los Indios. |
| 2015-04-24 22:35 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 0 mi N of Harlingen Airpark Ar | Harlingen ASOS reported a 58 mph wind gust. |
| 2014-05-28 15:08 | Hail | 0.75" penny | 0 mi N of Port Isabel | Public reported penny sized hail in Port Isabel. |
| 2014-05-28 15:10 | Wind | 58 kt 67 mph | 0 mi N of Port Isabel Arpt | The ASOS at the Port Isabel Airport in Bayview reported a 58 knot wind gust. |
| 2014-05-28 15:35 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 1 mi ENE of Brownsville | NWS employee reported several one to two foot diameter trees snapped with estimated 60 mph wind gusts. |
| 2014-05-09 21:24 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 2.69 mi ENE of Port Isabel | The U.S. Coast Guard weather station, on the bayside of South Padre Island just south of the Queen Isabella Causeway, recorded a wind gust of 50 knots (58 mph). Shortly after, power outages were reported across the southern portion of South Padre Island. |
| 2013-04-28 12:19 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | 0 mi N of Rancho Viejo | NWS employee reported tree limbs blown down in Rancho Viejo. Wind gusts were estimated at 50 to 60 mph. A few minutes later, estimated gusts to 60 mph lifted a trampoline into and over a fence, and bent other fencing material in North Brownsville. |
| 2013-04-28 12:23 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 2.35 mi NNW of Laureles | In North Los Fresnos, two tin roofs were lifted from old, poorly constructed trailers in a colonia neighborhood just east of the intersection of FM 510 and FM 1847 (Arroyo Blvd). Severe water and structural damage occurred at each residence; insulation was peeled from the roofs and some walls had cracked or collapsed.… |
| 2013-04-28 12:25 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .31 mi SSE of La Paloma | A communication tower knocked was knocked down by strong winds near La Paloma. |
| 2012-12-05 00:57 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .72 mi NNE of La Feria | The public reported quarter to half dollar size hail fell in La Feria, near FM 506. The hail lasted for a few minutes. |
| 2012-05-15 20:49 | Wind | 48 kt 55 mph | 1.68 mi NW of San Benito | A strong thunderstorm raced through central and eastern Cameron County, and briefly intensified. Winds estimated at 55 mph blue a poorly anchored roof from one mobile home at the Tropical Trail MHP along U.S. 77 (business) near Oscar Williams Road. A few mesquite limbs were also torn from one or two trees near the hom… |
| 2012-05-12 16:10 | Hail | 1" quarter | .73 mi NNE of La Feria | Public reported quarter size hail near La Feria. |
| 2012-05-12 16:15 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | 1.23 mi NW of Harlingen | Nickel sized hail was reported by the public on the west side of Harlingen along the Highway 77 and 83 interchange at 515 PM; penny sized hail was reported at the intersection of Harrison and U.S. Highway 77 at 520 PM, with another report of penny sized hail at the same time relayed by amateur radio from the general p… |
| 2012-05-12 16:20 | Hail | 1.25" half dollar | .5 mi NNW of Stuart Place | Nickel to quarter size hail reported at Altas Palmas and Highway 83 and quarter size hail along Highway 83 on the west side of Harlingen. Report from spouse of NWS employee that car windshield was broken from the hail. |
| 2012-05-12 16:25 | Hail | 1" quarter | 2.96 mi NNE of Rangerville | Cameron County Emergency Manager reported quarter size hail at the intersection of County Road 800 and Rangerville Road. |
| 2012-04-20 17:35 | Hail | 1" quarter | 1.84 mi SSW of Primera | Public reported nickel to quarter size hail across portions of Harlingen, from near Harlingen High School to the Treasure Hills area. |
| 2012-04-20 17:40 | Hail | 0.88" nickel | .74 mi NNE of Laureles | Public reported nickel size hail near Laureles. |
| 2012-04-20 17:45 | Hail | 1" quarter | .88 mi W of Los Fresnos | Trained spotter reported nickel to quarter size hail falling across Los Fresnos. |
| 2012-04-20 17:55 | Hail | 1" quarter | .7 mi SSW of Portway Acres | Public reported nickel to quarter size hail at the intersection of Southmost and International Blvd in Brownsville. |
| 2012-04-16 17:22 | Wind | 74 kt 85 mph | 4.19 mi NNE of Port Isabel | As the storm raced east onto South Padre Island, a downburst developed which produced winds up to 57 mph at the Port Isabel Coast Guard Station (along Laguna Vista Bay) and a 1/2 mile swath of estimated 70 to 75 mph winds across the central portion of the resort area of South Padre Island, all occurring roughly betwee… |
| 2012-02-04 15:25 | Hail | 1" quarter | .74 mi SSW of Fernando | The public reported quarter sized hail about 1.75 miles north of the center of Rio Hondo in extreme northern Cameron County. |
| 2011-06-22 12:29 | Wind | 57 kt 66 mph | .29 mi WSW of (Hrl)Rio Grande Arpt | The ASOS platform at the Harlingen Valley International Airport recorded a wind gust of 66 miles per hour as a downburst moved through during a thunderstorm during the early afternoon. No damage was reported to the tower or on the field. |
| 2010-05-18 08:20 | Wind | 52 kt 60 mph | .68 mi NW of Santa Rosa | Winds within and ahead of the squall line increased to severe levels as they swept across Cameron County. Racing from from west northwest to east southeast across the County, the winds, both measured and estimated at 60 mph, knocked down hundreds of different sized tree limbs and caused power outages from Santa Rosa t… |
| 2010-05-18 09:05 | Wind | 50 kt 58 mph | 1.5 mi WSW of Brownsville | A 20 year old cottonwood tree, renowned and visited often for having a purported image of the Virgin Mary on its bark, was blown down by strong thunderstorm winds estimated to have occurred between 905 and 910 AM CST at the intersection of East Levee and 10th Streets in downtown Brownsville. Numerous, varying sized li… |
| 2010-05-18 09:25 | Wind | 56 kt 64 mph | 1.14 mi W of Port Isabel | The thunderstorm complex continued to generate strong, damaging winds as it moved across southeast Cameron County, affecting Bayview, Port Isabel, and South Padre Island. The strongest wind core appeared to rip through Port Isabel across the southern portion of the Town of South Padre Island. At Port Isabel, numerous… |
Worst storm days in Cameron County
| Date | Reports that day | Largest hail | Peak gust |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-04 | 11 | 2" (hen egg) | 82 mph |
| 2023-05-09 | 9 | — | 89 mph |
| 2023-04-29 | 9 | — | 81 mph |
| 2017-04-02 | 8 | 3.01" (grapefruit) | — |
| 2023-04-23 | 8 | — | 75 mph |
| 2023-06-05 | 6 | 2" (hen egg) | 64 mph |
| 2022-05-25 | 6 | — | 72 mph |
| 2026-05-09 | 5 | 1.75" (golf ball) | 82 mph |
| 2025-11-01 | 5 | 1.25" (half dollar) | 67 mph |
| 2023-04-21 | 5 | 1.25" (half dollar) | — |
Reports by year
Report counts are driven partly by how many people were around to report a storm, so recent years tend to look busier than the early 2010s. Treat the trend as a reporting trend, not purely a weather trend.
Notable large-hail events (2" and up)
| Date | Size | Near | What was reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-05 | 2" hen egg | 3.51 mi S of Monte Grande | Member of the public shared a picture of a hail stone estimated to be around 2 inches. Timing based on radar. |
| 2023-06-04 | 2" hen egg | 1.79 mi NNE of San Benito Muni Arpt | A member of the public shared a picture of a hail stone around 2 inches in diameter. Time estimated by the report and radar. |
| 2023-06-04 | 2" hen egg | .62 mi E of Villa Cavazos | Member of the public shared a picture of hail with an estimated size of 2 inches from the corner of FM1421 and FM1732 in Cameron County. Time estimated by radar. |
| 2017-04-02 | 2.75" baseball | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | Rio Hondo Police reported baseball size hail. Windshields of four vehicles in possession of the city of Rio Hondo broken due to hail. Unknown roof damage was also likely; details and damage estimates will be provided as information is received. |
| 2017-04-02 | 2.5" tennis ball | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | Tennis ball size hail reported via social media. |
| 2017-04-02 | 2.5" tennis ball | 1.24 mi E of Monte Grande | Tennis ball size hail reported. Vehicles dented and windshields damaged and chickens killed. |
| 2017-04-02 | 3.01" grapefruit | 0 mi N of Rio Hondo | Measured hail report of 3.01 inches via social media. Hail broke windshield at residence with other windshields broken in neighborhood. |
When does hail hit Cameron County?
Across 17 years of records, April produced the most reports (53), followed by the months either side of it. Monthly totals:
| Month | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.0% |
| February | 1 | 0.7% |
| March | 2 | 1.4% |
| April | 53 | 37.6% |
| May | 42 | 29.8% |
| June | 25 | 17.7% |
| July | 0 | 0.0% |
| August | 5 | 3.5% |
| September | 3 | 2.1% |
| October | 4 | 2.8% |
| November | 5 | 3.5% |
| December | 1 | 0.7% |
Nearby counties in Texas
Tarrant County (1,073)Denton County (749)Dallas County (597)Collin County (561)Randall County (535)Potter County (510)Bexar County (497)Tom Green County (489)Harris County (444)Wichita County (407)Grayson County (401)Smith County (384)
About these numbers
Every row above is a report filed with the National Weather Service and archived in the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (FIPS 48061). Reports are eyewitness, trained-spotter and damage-survey observations, so they cluster near roads and towns and miss storms over empty country. Hail sizes are estimates. Damage figures are preliminary as filed and are never revised in this archive. Use this page for background, not for an insurance claim, a legal filing, or a roof assessment — for those, get the official record from NOAA directly.