The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning early Tuesday for parts of South Texas after radar detected rotation in a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado.
At 5:54 a.m. CDT, the storm was located over Frio Town, about 14 miles northwest of Pearsall, and was moving north at 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The warning covers Frio and Medina counties, two rural counties southwest of San Antonio.
The Weather Service said the source of the warning was radar-indicated rotation, meaning a tornado had not necessarily been confirmed visually but atmospheric conditions showed the signature of one forming or already on the ground.
Take cover now. The Weather Service’s safety instructions call for residents in the path of the storm to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. Those who are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle should move immediately to the closest substantial shelter and take cover.
Forecasters warned that flying debris will be dangerous to anyone caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed, and the storm threatens damage to roofs, windows and vehicles. Tree damage is also likely as the cell continues its northward track.
As of the latest update, this is the only active tornado warning nationwide, but it underscores that severe weather season remains active across Texas even as summer heat builds elsewhere in the country. Rotating supercells like this one can develop quickly on hot, humid mornings when wind shear is present, and the Weather Service continues to monitor the storm’s evolution as it moves north out of Frio County toward Medina County.
Residents in and around the warned area, including those near Pearsall, should stay tuned to local weather radio, television or mobile alerts rather than relying on the sight of a funnel cloud, since the threat was radar-indicated and may not be visible amid rain-wrapped conditions. The warning is time-sensitive and will be updated or allowed to expire as the National Weather Service reassesses radar data.
Weather Window will continue to monitor the situation and update this story if the warning is extended, upgraded, or if additional counties are added to the alert.