textproduct: Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1113 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

- Unseasonably warm temperatures and poor air quality are expected the rest of today into tomorrow. Outdoor burning is discouraged due to air quality and gusty winds.

- A dry cold front is expected Saturday, which will return temperatures to and just below seasonal levels for a few days and improve air quality.

- There is increased fire danger behind the cold front, as relative humidities are expected to significantly drop accompanied by gusty northwesterly winds. Freeze-cured fuels and exceptional drought conditions will enhance the danger. Fire danger products will likely be needed for Sunday.

- Beach and marine hazards are expected with the cold front. A moderate risk of rip currents is already in place, with the risk increasing into the weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1113 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Semi-zonal flow remains over the region, with surface high pressure remaining dominant over the Gulf. This pattern continues to support unseasonably warm and dry conditions throughout Deep South Texas. In addition, there is a sharp temperature inversion in place just above the surface, which is trapping boundary-layer air close to the ground. Southerly winds are advecting smoky air from Mexico into Deep South Texas, and the strong inversion is helping trap that air close to the surface. Therefore, poor air quality is expected the rest of today and into tomorrow as well. There is also a tightened pressure gradient ahead of an approaching cold front creating gusty conditions. Even through relative humidity will not be at critical levels ahead of the front, outdoor burning is not recommended this evening and tomorrow as it will further decrease local air quality and the winds will encourage some spread.

A cold front is expected from the west-northwest on Saturday, which will push the inversion out of the area and allow the air quality to improve. However, relative humidities are expected to crash behind the front, accompanied by gusty northwesterly winds. In addition, fuels are freeze-cured and portions of our CWA (parts of Brooks and Jim Hogg counties) have just entered D4 (exceptional) drought, which is the highest level of drought possible. At this time, it is likely that Fire Danger Statements and possibly Red Flag Warnings will be needed following the frontal passage, particularly on Sunday. No precipitation is expected with this front.

Temperatures are expected to decrease to around and just below seasonal levels following the frontal passage, with highs dropping from pre-frontal upper 80s and lower 90s to the low 70s for Sunday and Monday. Lows will fall from the mid-60s to the lower 50s for Saturday night and the upper 40s for Sunday and Monday nights. Temperatures will begin to gradually warm throughout next week starting Tuesday as upper-level ridging takes hold over the area. Long-range guidance currently suggests that conditions will be warm and dry for Charro Days festivities starting late next week.

Beach hazards are also ongoing and expected to continue into the weekend. There is currently a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents at area beaches. This will likely increase to high as the front passes through the area.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1113 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

MVFR conditions are expected throughout the afternoon due to a strong temperature inversion creating hazy conditions throughout Deep South Texas. Conditions could improve to VFR for a little bit this evening, but will overall remain MVFR throughout much of the day. Overnight, Ceilings could lower and reduce conditions to IFR between 03-05z. Winds are southwesterly and gusty but are expected to back towardsthe southeast around 00z. Gusts should also subside this evening as well.

MARINE

Issued at 1113 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Conditions should remain favorable through Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening, a front is expected to pass over the waters, which will cause Small Craft Advisory conditions to develop in both the Bay and over the Gulf Waters. Conditions should remain adverse through Monday. Conditions will be favorable Tuesday, but a tightening pressure gradient can possibly create Small Craft Advisory and/or SCEC conditions on Wednesday into Thursday.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

BROWNSVILLE 88 69 88 67 / 0 0 0 0 HARLINGEN 92 64 90 63 / 0 0 0 0 MCALLEN 95 69 93 67 / 0 0 0 0 RIO GRANDE CITY 97 65 95 64 / 0 0 0 0 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 79 69 78 68 / 0 0 0 0 BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL 87 66 85 64 / 0 0 0 0

BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...None. GM...None.