Zapata Ranch, TX Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Zapata Ranch, Willacy County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Zapata RanchWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Zapata Ranch?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 47 days in the Inland Willacy forecast zone and Willacy County — the most common reported hazard around Zapata Ranch, mostly in June and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (26 days) and flash flooding (23 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Excessive heat47Jun 2026—
Damaging thunderstorm winds26Mar 2024May 24, 2009 · $50,000 damage
Flash flooding23Mar 2025Jul 23, 2008 · $50 million damage
Flooding16Apr 2025Jul 24, 2008 · $50 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Jan 2026—
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Jul 2020Jul 25, 2020 · $177 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage3Mar 2025Mar 27, 2025 · 2 deaths · $20,000 damage
High winds2Mar 2008Mar 17, 2008 · $1,000 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 Willacy forecast zone and Willacy County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Zapata Ranch?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 40 miles 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 Zapata RanchView
KBRO
Brownsville, TX		40 mi southeast2,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KCRP
Corpus Christi, TX		100 mi north9,700 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEWX
San Antonio, TX		232 mi north37,500 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 Zapata Ranch

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 77 tornadoes within 25 miles of Zapata Ranch, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an F3 on May 12, 1969, which touched down about 13 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 27, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles west-southwest of town.

Hail: 113 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 29, 1991.

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 Zapata Ranch'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.

Zapata Ranch radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Zapata Ranch, TX?

KBRO (Brownsville, TX), about 40 miles southeast. KCRP (Corpus Christi, TX) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Zapata Ranch?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Zapata Ranch the lowest scan from KBRO is about 2,600 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Zapata Ranch 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 Zapata Ranch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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