Eye on storms

Threatening storm clouds finally opened up Tuesday afternoon dumping much needed rain in some parts of the Rio Grande Valley.

The rain came down during the afternoon with scattered showers reported throughout Cameron County.

Rain showers were reported near the Port of Brownsville and Port Isabel area, as well as southern Hidalgo County, said Jason Straub, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Brownsville.

Brief showers fell in parts of Brownsville, which left no street flooding but much humidity.

The rain was the result of tropical moisture coming off a weak area of low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico, said Geoff Bogorad, another meteorologist with the NWS.

Although the tropical moisture was to have a slow northwestern movement, no significant development is expected, according to the National Hurricane Center.

There's a 50-percent chance of rain today and a 20-percent chance of rain tonight. A 60-percent chance of rain was predicted for Tuesday.

According to a NWS hazardous weather look, cities 30 to 50 miles north of Highway 281 from Brownsville to Rio Grande City will have the best chances of heavy rain.

The last significant rainfall in the Valley was less than a month ago, when thunderstorms dumped more than 3.56 inches of rain in Los Fresnos, 1.69 inches in Brownsville and nearly a half-inch in McAllen. These thunderstorms were trigged by an approaching cold front.

Meanwhile, although the rain could help reduce the dry conditions, Johnny Cavazos, emergency management coordinator for Cameron County, said residents should still be "very cautious" when firing off fireworks.

Fireworks are scheduled to go on sale today. State law allows fireworks to be sold 10 days before the Fourth of July holiday.

Cavazos said residents should remember to obey all city and county ordinances pertaining to fireworks and should supervise children who are firing fireworks.

Although Cameron County officials had issued a burn ban, it has since been lifted. The ban was in effect for several weeks.