Weather pattern to continue for next few days forecasters indicate

If you like rain more is on the way and it is expected to continue for the next few days.

This week’s rain is courtesy of a moisture accompanying and south of a stationary front across South Texas.

"We didn’t even think this stuff (the rain) was going to make it," said Jeff Philo, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Brownsville. "People are getting frisky about it."

The last significant rainfall the area had was back in late May where Brownsville and some of its surrounding areas received nearly 3 inches of rain. That storm was attributed to the result of a cold front that clashed with unstable air mass in the area.

On Sunday, nearly more than a quarter of an inch was reported in Brownsville and more than 1 inch of rainfall fell in the Harlingen area. About 3 inches fell around the Rancho Viejo area, the National Weather Service in Brownsville reported.

Sunday’s rain couldn’t have come at a better time for area farmers who have been dealing with drought conditions over the past several months.

Los Fresnos farmer Mack Miller said the rain is a godsend to his pastures, which have remained bone dry because of the ongoing drought. He owns several cattle pastures near Olmito.

"I looked up in the sky and thanked the Lord for everything that we got," Miller, 75, said Monday. "It has helped the pastures."

Miller, of Miller’s Produce in Los Fresnos, said his fields had already been harvested and he is preparing for the next crop to be planted, which will be sweet corn.

The fields have been irrigated and fertilized, Miller said. The sweet corn will be planted sometime this week as soon as the workers can get back into them.

"It (the rain) won’t hurt the sweet corn. We will take anything that we can get," Miller said.

Philo said there’s a 30 percent chance of rain for today (Tuesday) through Thursday. That percentage could increase for today if there’s a clearing of the overcast skies that would bring daytime heating. Daytime heating combined with moisture in the air could produce more rain, he said.

"We are getting into a more rainy type of season," Philo said. "This is good because we really need the rain."

The rain has prompted Cameron County to temporarily lift its burn ban for the remainder of the week.

Officials said residents wishing to burn leaves, grass, brush or any other tree material will need to get a permit.

The outdoor burn ban is expected to be reinstated next week. It had been in effect since July 10 because of extreme and exceptional drought conditions reported in and around the area.