Santel, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Santel, Starr County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Santel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 53 days in the Starr forecast zone and Starr County — the most common reported hazard around Santel, mostly in June and August. Next come flash flooding (38 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 53 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Jun 2026 | Jul 24, 2008 · $50 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 32 | Mar 2026 | Mar 7, 2026 · $250,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 15 | Feb 2024 | Feb 4, 2024 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Nov 2023 | Jul 8, 2010 · $38 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 1996 · $1.2 million damage |
| High winds | 2 | Mar 2008 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Jul 2020 | Jul 25, 2020 · $33 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 Starr forecast zone and Starr County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Santel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 96 miles east-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Santel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBRO Brownsville, TX | 96 mi east-southeast | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCRP Corpus Christi, TX | 129 mi northeast | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDFX Laughlin AFB, TX | 218 mi north-northwest | 33,700 ft | Limited — 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 Santel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Santel. The strongest was an EF0 on June 3, 2009, which touched down about 19 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 55 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 2, 2004.
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 Santel'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.
Santel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Santel, TX?
KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 96 miles east-southeast. KCRP (Corpus Christi, TX) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Santel?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Santel the lowest scan from KBRO is about 9,100 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for Santel 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 Santel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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