Rio Grande Valley, Texas Hill Country, and Permian Basin Face Slight Risk Severe Weather Tuesday With Baseball Hail, 60 MPH Gusts, and Isolated Tornado Possible South of I-10

SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL TEXAS — A Slight Risk level 2 of 5 severe weather threat is in place across the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Hill Country, and the Permian Basin on Tuesday May 26, 2026, with hail-producing supercells possible this afternoon. The threat includes scattered large hail, isolated baseball-sized hail, sporadic 60 MPH wind gusts, and an isolated tornado with the tornado risk focused primarily in the Permian Basin south of I-10.

Full Risk Zone Breakdown for Tuesday May 26

Severe weather risk by area:

Risk Level	Zone	Key Cities
Slight Risk (2/5)	West Texas / Permian Basin	Midland, Pecos, Fort Stockton, Big Spring, Sterling City, Ozona
Slight Risk (2/5)	Rio Grande Valley / Del Rio corridor	Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde
Marginal Risk (1/5)	Broader West and Central Texas	Lubbock, San Angelo, Junction, Kerrville, San Antonio fringe
Marginal Risk (1/5)	South Texas corridor	Corpus Christi, Nuevo Laredo, Laredo area
General Thunderstorms	East Texas fringe	Waco, Austin, Tyler, Nacogdoches

Full Hazard Breakdown

All hazards in play Tuesday across the Slight Risk zone:

Hazard	Threat Level	Primary Zone
Scattered large hail	Primary and widespread	Entire Slight Risk zone
Isolated baseball-sized hail	Possible with strongest supercells	Permian Basin and Rio Grande corridor
Sporadic wind gusts 60 MPH	Possible	Slight Risk zone
Isolated tornado	Possible	Permian Basin south of I-10
Heavy rainfall	Secondary	Widespread across risk areas
Frequent lightning	With all cells	Entire affected region

Where the Tornado Risk Is Focused

The isolated tornado threat is not widespread across the entire risk zone. Forecasters are specifically pointing to the Permian Basin south of Interstate 10 as the primary corridor where tornado development is most possible with the most organized supercell storms this afternoon.

Tornado risk zone specifics:

• Primary area: Permian Basin south of I-10
• Cities in this corridor: Pecos, Fort Stockton, Ozona, Big Lake, and surrounding communities
• Mechanism: Discrete supercell development with enough rotation for tornado production
• Confidence: Isolated, not a widespread tornado outbreak scenario
• Timing: This afternoon into the early evening hours

Rio Grande Valley and Texas Hill Country Hail Threat

While the tornado risk is focused on the Permian Basin, the Rio Grande Valley and Texas Hill Country are squarely in the hail threat zone with supercells capable of producing large to very large hail during the afternoon hours.

Hail threat details:

• Scattered large hail is the most likely outcome across the broader Slight Risk zone
• Isolated baseball-sized hail is possible with the strongest and most discrete supercells
• Baseball-sized hail measures approximately 2.75 inches in diameter and is capable of causing significant damage to vehicles, roofs, and property
• Del Rio, Uvalde, Kerrville, Junction, and the Hill Country corridor all sit within range of hail-producing storms this afternoon

What Residents Across the Risk Zone Should Do

With storms expected to develop during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, preparation time is available now for residents across southwest and central Texas.

• Move vehicles undercover before afternoon storm development if possible
• Baseball-sized hail will cause serious vehicle and roof damage with no warning on storm arrival
• Residents in the Permian Basin south of I-10 should have tornado shelter plans ready
• 60 MPH wind gusts can down trees and power lines with little advance notice
• Monitor NWS severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings throughout the afternoon and evening
• Avoid outdoor activities across the Slight Risk zone during peak storm hours this afternoon

Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for continuing updates on the southwest and central Texas severe weather threat through Tuesday afternoon and evening.