Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Brownsville, TX

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FXUS64 KBRO 160005 AAA
AFDBRO

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
705 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024

...New UPDATE, AVIATION...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 631 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024

Delayed onset of thunderstorms chances for the mid and and lower
RGV until around midnight with area void of activity at this time.
22Z HRRR indicates western areas seeing activity roll in from the
Sierra Madre after 02Z spreading east but weakening there after.
Currently (0630 LDT), BRO WSR-88 Doppler radar is showing one
storm approximately 40 miles west of Zapata county moving
southeast at around 20 mph. We will continue to monitor for
additional storms with instability still rather high and the cap
weakening however there remains a strong cap over the eastern
half of the County Warning Area.



&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Saturday night)
Issued at 253 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024

The short term forecast period starts off active, as parts of the
Northern Ranchlands and Upper Rio Grande Valley have been put into
an area of slight risk (level 2 out of 5) and marginal risk (level 1
out of 5) for severe weather this afternoon and this evening. While
the forcing is not the best, the cold front that is north of Deep
South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley will allow for some isolated
showers and thunderstorms to develop. Any developing thunderstorms
do have the potential to become supercell. The primary risk with any
severe thunderstorms this afternoon and this evening is large hail,
which could be baseball size or larger. There is also the threat of
strong winds as well, however that is dependent upon how the
thunderstorms organize themselves. Then there is the low probability
of tornadoes as well. As for the rest of Deep South Texas and the
Rio Grande Valley, the current situation sees the area in a general
thunderstorm outlook, so showers and thunderstorms are possible, but
not expected to be severe. The Weather Prediction Center also has
the Northern Ranchlands in a marginal risk (level 1 out of 4) of
excessive rainfall due to the heavy rain associated with the
thunderstorms. The latest HRRR model run does show the development
of thunderstorm over these areas thus adding to the confidence of
the severe threat.

Then for tomorrow a similar set up as today will allow for more
active weather for the region. Currently the Storm Prediction Center
has about half of the CWA in a marginal risk of severe weather,
which includes the Northern Ranchlands, the Upper Rio Grande Valley,
and parts of the Mid Valley as well. The other half of the CWA is in
a general thunderstorm outlook. The Weather Prediction Center also
has a marginal risk of excessive rainfall for tomorrow, but that is
more limited to the Northern Ranchlands.

As for the temperatures, tonight the lows are expected to be in the
range of upper 60s to low 70s, with the cooler temperatures in the
Northern Ranchlands, while the warmer temperatures will be in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley. The high temperatures for tomorrow are
expected to be in the 80s for all of Deep South Texas and the Rio
Grande Valley. However some places in the Middle Rio Grande Valley
may get to the 90s. Finally, the low temperatures for tomorrow night
are expected to be in mostly the upper 60s, with a few places in the
low 70s.

Lastly, for those going to the beach or enjoying spring break, a
moderate risk of rip currents is expected to continue through
tomorrow. Wave heights are expected to still be in the range of 2 to
4 feet as well.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Sunday through next Friday)
Issued at 253 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024

A cut-off low over the southwestern US looks to remain in place
through mid week supporting southwesterly flow aloft through the
beginning of the period. A series of shortwaves moving over Deep
South Texas will provide additional forcing and support rain
chances through the first half of the period. The cut-off low
looks to finally move further east Wednesday, likely kicking off a
surface low over North Texas and providing additional forcing
over Deep South Texas.

At the surface, a weak cold front looks to move through the area
Sunday. Enhanced forcing from a passing shortwave, weak frontal
lifting, PW values around 1.5”, and CAPE values >2000 J/kg could
support some isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms ahead
of and along the front. Rain chances will continue into Monday,
however thunderstorm potential will diminish behind the front
Sunday night as CAPE values decrease and we transition into a weak
overrunning setup.

Easterly to southeasterly surface flow looks to return Tuesday
into Tuesday night. This will support increasing temperatures for
the later half of the period as well as increased low level
moisture. Additional rain is possible Tuesday, thanks in part to
another shortwave moving overhead, though rain chances are capped
at roughly 20%.

Instability looks to increase Wednesday afternoon, coinciding
with the increased forcing from the passing upper level trough.
This will reintroduce the potential for isolated showers and
thunderstorms into the forecast Wednesday afternoon into Thursday
morning.

High temperatures Sunday in the upper 70s to low 80s will be
replaced with highs in the upper 60 to low 70s Monday and Tuesday
thanks to continued northerly to northeasterly flow behind the
cold front. As winds shift southeasterly on Tuesday, high
temperatures will begin to climb, reaching the upper 80s to low
90s by Friday. Similarly low temperatures in the 60s Sunday night
will continue to fall in the upper 50s to low 60 Monday and
Tuesday nights, before climbing back into the 60s Wednesday night.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 631 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024

Ceilings to develop and lower overnight with MVFR and possible IFR
around sunrise Saturday. At 00Z all areas are seeing VFR with
MVFR ceilings expected to develop around or shortly after 03Z.
Thunderstorm activity is possible over the western areas of Deep
South Texas with a 20-30 percent chance of storms approaching KMFE
after 06Z and after 09Z at KHRL or KBRO although confidence is
low for storms tracking east of I-69C. Light southeast winds
expected overnight with occasional higher gusts near 20 knots.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 253 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024

Tonight through Saturday night...Mostly favorable conditions are
expected to continue through Saturday night. Light to moderate
onshore flow is expected to persist alongside low to moderate waves.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible over the waters.

Sunday through next Friday...Light to moderate southeasterly winds
shift northeasterly Sunday with the passage of a cold front.
Tightening pressure gradients and stronger winds behind the front
will likely result in adverse marine conditions Monday, as seas
build to 8 ft. Small Craft Advisories may be need throughout the
day Monday. Winds look to weaken and shift easterly to
southeasterly Tuesday as high pressure sets up over the northern
Gulf. This will support light to moderate southeasterly winds and
low to moderate seas through the remainder of the period. Isolated
to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Sunday,
Wednesday night, and Thursday. Some brief periods of light rain
are possible Monday and Tuesday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
BROWNSVILLE             72  84  70  81 /  20  10  20  20
HARLINGEN               69  86  67  82 /  30  10  30  30
MCALLEN                 72  89  70  86 /  20  20  40  30
RIO GRANDE CITY         70  87  67  84 /  40  30  50  30
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND      69  75  69  74 /  30  10  10  20
BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL     69  80  67  78 /  30  10  20  20

&&

.BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
GM...None.
&&

$$

SHORT TERM...64-Katz
LONG TERM....60-BE
AVIATION...59-GB


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