South Padre Island, TX Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for South Padre IslandWhat TALON shows

What weather hits South Padre Island?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 68 days in the Cameron Island forecast zone and Cameron County — the most common reported hazard around South Padre Island, mostly in May and April. Next come flash flooding (53 days) and flooding (27 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds68May 2026May 2, 2000 · $5.0 million damage
Flash flooding53Jun 2026Mar 27, 2025 · $105 million damage
Flooding27Sep 2025Jul 24, 2008 · $38 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage6Sep 2024May 16, 2020 · $7.0 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill4Jan 2026—
Coastal flooding2Nov 2022—
Storm surge1Jun 2024Jun 19, 2024 · $2.5 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 Cameron Island forecast zone and Cameron County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover South Padre Island?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 21 miles southwest. 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 South Padre IslandView
KBRO
Brownsville, TX		21 mi southwest1,200 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KCRP
Corpus Christi, TX		117 mi north12,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KEWX
San Antonio, TX		253 mi north-northwest43,700 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 South Padre Island

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of South Padre Island. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an EF1 on May 13, 2023, which touched down about 6 miles west-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on October 27, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles south of town.

Hail: 35 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 11, 1971.

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 South Padre Island'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.

South Padre Island radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to South Padre Island, TX?

KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 21 miles southwest. KCRP (Corpus Christi, TX) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near South Padre Island?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over South Padre Island the lowest scan from KBRO is about 1,200 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for South Padre Island 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 South Padre Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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