textproduct: Corpus Christi

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 606 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

- Red Flag Warning remains in effect today due to Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions. Also possible for Sunday.

- Gale Warning in effect this evening until Sunday afternoon across all waters.

- Very warm temperatures return by the middle of next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1249 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

As of late this morning the front is still making its way through our CWA and will be moving over the waters throughout this afternoon with strong to very strong winds in its wake. As winds pick up out of the north today combined with drier air mass behind the front will result in critical fire weather conditions and a Red Flag Warning is in effect from early afternoon to evening today.

The strongest winds are expected to pick up over the waters late this evening/overnight through tomorrow morning. The Gale Watch has been upgraded to a Gale Warning starting at 00Z tonight through 18Z Sunday. Once winds subside by tomorrow conditions will be dry and mostly clear to partly cloudy for the rest of the period.

Onshore flow is likely to return Monday night as a surface high pressure takes hold behind a mid-level trough and moves east of TX. Winds are expected to pick up again mid-week as a weak low develops over Texas with a tight gradient develops in response. This may result in elevated or critical fire weather conditions and hazardous/dangerous marine conditions again mid-week.

Temperatures meanwhile Sunday/Monday will be cooler (60s/70s) and will trend upward towards mid- week with afternoon highs peaking on Wednesday to the upper 70s along the coast and low 90s generally west of US 77/I-37 corridor.

Looking ahead towards the end of the work week next week as another cold front looks to move through South Texas it doesn't look as strong but that is far out in the forecast and uncertainty is high so currently am not confident enough to talk about possible hazards until forecast trends start to converge.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 606 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

VFR conditions but gusty winds are expected throughout this period. Wind gusts around 25kt will persist through the period for VCT and CRP, but will gradually subside for farther inland terminals. Few to scattered mid-level clouds remain in place this afternoon but will dissipate overnight.

MARINE

Issued at 1249 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

A strong cold front will moving over the waters will have increasing flow in its wake. Very strong to gale force (BF 7-8) northerly winds develop by this evening. Choppy to very rough seas will also develop. A Gale Warning is in effect from this evening until tomorrow afternoon. While winds will begin to subside during the day Sunday, strong winds and elevated seas will persist into the evening, especially in deep waters. Moderate to Fresh winds return for Monday and Tuesday, veering southerly. Another period of strong to near Gale Force winds - this time out of the south - is likely mid to late week.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1249 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

The cold front has passed through the region this morning and increased winds and drier air will slowly filter in behind it this afternoon. Resulting in high energy release component (50th-69th percentile), strong gusty winds (N around 15 to 20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH) and RFTI values of 3-4. Combined with minimum RH values as low as 18%, critical fire weather conditions will exist. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the Brush Country and western Coastal Plains. Expect another day of elevated to critical fire conditions Sunday, extending farther into the Coastal Plains. Will have to monitor conditions as we progress through the week as RH values are forecasted to remain on the lower end (15-30%) through the majority of the next week, but winds will not be as strong. As RH values remain low throughout the week and temperatures soar Wednesday into the 90s, will have to keep an eye on potentially more elevated to critical fire conditions with southerly winds.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Corpus Christi 47 68 44 66 / 0 0 0 0 Victoria 42 67 36 66 / 0 0 0 0 Laredo 46 70 42 71 / 0 0 0 0 Alice 45 69 40 69 / 0 0 0 0 Rockport 49 69 46 66 / 0 0 0 0 Cotulla 42 69 40 70 / 0 0 0 0 Kingsville 46 69 41 69 / 0 0 0 0 Navy Corpus 51 66 52 64 / 0 0 0 0

CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for TXZ229>233- 239>241.

GM...Gale Warning until noon CST Sunday for GMZ231-232-236-237-250- 255-270-275.