textproduct: Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 502 PM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

- A Wind Advisory is in effect until 21z for Cameron, Willacy, Kennedy, and Hidalgo Counties. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph have been observed in some areas.

- A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for the Bay and Gulf Waters until at least 00z. In addition, there is a high risk of life-threatening rip currents today through tomorrow at area beaches.

- Unseasonably warm weather is expected through tomorrow, before a cold front brings unseasonably cool weather with a low to medium (20-40%) chance of precipitation this weekend.

- Crashing relative humidity and increased winds behind the front may lead to fire concerns over the weekend, especially on Saturday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1111 AM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 3 PM CST this afternoon due to a strong low-level jet mixing down the surface, causing gusty wind conditions. This Wind Advisory was originally issued for Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo counties, but will be expanded to Kennedy County as well, since wind gusts over 40 knots have been observed in the area.

The wind is expected to lessen some (but remain gusty) tonight, as the associated low pressure system in Oklahoma moves off to the east, weakening the low level jet and somewhat relaxing the pressure gradient. However, potentially record high temperatures and windy conditions (though not as gusty as today) are still expected to continue tomorrow ahead of a strong cold front that will arrive in Deep South Texas by Saturday morning. This front is expected to bring unseasonably cool temperatures to the region through early next week. High temperatures tomorrow should reach the mid-to-upper 80s, decreasing to the low-to-mid 60s through Tuesday. Pre-frontal low temperatures are expected to be in the mid-to-upper 60s tonight and tomorrow night, and then cool to the mid-40s through Wednesday night.

This frontal passage is also expected to bring a low to medium (20- 40%) chance of showers and thunderstorms to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas Saturday night through Sunday night. In addition, a coastal low is expected to develop offshore after the front passes through, which will help keep skies cloudy and temperatures cooler through at least Tuesday of next week. It will also sustain a low (roughly 15-20%) chance of showers for all of Deep South Texas through at least Tuesday. This coastal low is expected to move away from the area by next Wednesday, which will clear skies and warm temperatures back into the 70s for next Wednesday and Thursday.

With the increased wind speeds and lower minimum relative humidities following the frontal passage, Fire Danger Statements may be needed this weekend. In addition, there is a high risk of life-threatening rip currents at area beaches tonight and tomorrow.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 502 PM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

Although southh-southeasterly winds have improved since earlier this afternoon, breezy conditions and gusty winds continue for a couple more hours into the early evening hours before diminishing to 5-10 knots by perhaps 03-05Z tonight. By the pre-dawn hours Friday morning, light and variable winds are anticipated, with IFR or MVFR ceilings possible at KMFE and KHRL. South-southeasterly winds pick up to around 10-15 knots, gusting to near 20 knots, by late morning, improving conditions to VFR across all terminals.

MARINE

Issued at 1111 AM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for the Bay and Gulf Waters until at least 00z, and may need to be extended depending on how long winds and sea heights remain above Small Craft Advisory criteria this afternoon. The pressure gradient is expected to somewhat relax this evening, which will decrease the wind speeds. Once conditions fall below Small Craft Advisory conditions, Small Craft Exercise Caution conditions are still expected for at least a portion of tonight. Conditions will continue to improve somewhat tomorrow and tomorrow night before more Small Craft Advisories are likely needed again Saturday as a strong cold front passes through the area.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

BROWNSVILLE 70 86 65 67 / 0 0 40 40 HARLINGEN 66 87 62 63 / 0 0 30 30 MCALLEN 69 89 64 65 / 0 0 30 30 RIO GRANDE CITY 64 88 60 63 / 0 0 10 20 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 71 79 67 68 / 0 0 40 50 BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL 68 84 65 66 / 0 0 40 40

BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...High Rip Current Risk through Friday afternoon for TXZ451-454- 455.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for GMZ130-132- 135-150-155-170-175.