Rio Hondo, TX Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Rio Hondo, Cameron County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Rio Hondo?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 70 days in the Inland Cameron forecast zone and Cameron County — the most common reported hazard around Rio Hondo, mostly in June and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (68 days) and flash flooding (53 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Excessive heat70Jun 2026Jun 25, 2023 · 1 death
Damaging thunderstorm winds68May 2026May 2, 2000 · $5.0 million damage
Flash flooding53Jun 2026Mar 27, 2025 · $105 million damage
Flooding34Sep 2025Jul 24, 2008 · $38 million damage
High winds14Apr 2025Jan 8, 2024 · $525,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Jan 2026—
Lightning casualties & damage6Sep 2024May 16, 2020 · $7.0 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms5Jul 2020Jul 23, 2008 · $420 million damage

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Inland Cameron forecast zone and Cameron County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Rio Hondo?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 24 miles south-southeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Rio HondoView
KBRO
Brownsville, TX
24 mi south-southeast1,400 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KCRP
Corpus Christi, TX
107 mi north10,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KEWX
San Antonio, TX
241 mi north40,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms

Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.

Tornado & hail history near Rio Hondo

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rio Hondo, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and September. The strongest was an F3 on May 12, 1969, which touched down about 6 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 27, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.

Hail: 111 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.01-inch hail on April 2, 2017.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.

On TALON you get Rio Hondo's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.

Rio Hondo radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Rio Hondo, TX?

KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 24 miles south-southeast. KCRP (Corpus Christi, TX) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Rio Hondo?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Rio Hondo the lowest scan from KBRO is about 1,400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Rio Hondo free?

Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.

Should I rely on radar for my safety?

No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Rio Hondo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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