Zapata, Texas Weather
Zapata, Texas — live current conditions, hourly and 7-day forecasts, NWS alerts, aviation weather, radar and satellite imagery, soil and crop conditions for Zapata, Zapata County.
Flight conditions near Zapata. Data source: locating…
Soil conditions, frost risk and crop weather for Zapata.
About Zapata, Texas
Zapata rests on the sun-baked edge of South Texas, a place where the vast, open sky seems to press down on the scrubby mesquite and hardy huisache. It lies 43.9 miles south-south-east of Laredo, TX (from Laredo, TX: bearing 161°T), and is situated 1.2 miles south-west of Medina. The land here is a study in shades of ochre and dusty green, stretching out in a landscape more accustomed to the fierce embrace of the sun than the gentle caress of rain. The air itself carries a dry, persistent warmth, a constant hum of heat that seems to vibrate from the earth. Buildings, often painted in pale, heat-deflecting colors, cluster around the main thoroughfares, their awnings providing small oases of shade against the persistent glare. The distant shimmer on the horizon hints at the presence of water, a vital artery in this arid expanse, and the very stillness of the afternoon can feel pregnant with an ancient, patient energy. The story of Zapata is deeply entwined with the mighty Rio Grande, a river that has shaped its history and its economy for generations. This is a land forged by cattle ranching and, for a significant period, by the promise of oil and gas, industries that have left their mark on the character of the region. The Falcon International Dam and Reservoir, a monumental feat of engineering, has become a defining feature, transforming the surrounding landscape and creating a haven for recreation and a vital water source. The echoes of its founding can still be felt in the traditions and the resilient spirit of its people, a blend of Anglo and Hispanic cultures that has created a unique local identity. The pace of life in Zapata is unhurried, dictated by the sun's arc and the steady flow of the river, a rhythm that encourages a deep appreciation for the simple, enduring beauty of this South Texas frontier.
Live animated radar for Zapata and surroundings — RainViewer.
NOAA GOES-16 GEOCOLOR — live animated loop updated every 10 minutes. Shows cloud cover, storm systems and weather patterns across the continental US.
Source: NOAA/NESDIS GOES-East · Public domain · Auto-updates on page reload
| Location | Zapata, Zapata County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 26.90726°N, 99.271426°W |
| Timezone | Central Time (America/Chicago) |
| ZIP Code(s) | 78076 |
| Area Code | 210, 726 |
| Page generated | July 2026 |
| Weather data | Open-Meteo (open-source), NOAA National Weather Service |
About This Zapata, Texas Weather Page
This page provides live weather conditions and forecasts for Zapata, Texas, including current conditions, a 24-hour hourly forecast, 7-day outlook, NWS extended text forecast, real-time aviation weather (live METAR and TAF reports from the nearest reporting airport, with a modeled estimate shown when no station is in range), precipitation radar and NOAA GOES-16 satellite imagery. Additional sections may include tide predictions, wave height, wave direction and sea-surface temperature, a barometric pressure trend, and a solunar-based fishing forecast with a fishing-conditions rating for coastal localities, and soil temperature, crop weather and live USGS river gauge data for agricultural areas near a monitored waterway. All data updates automatically on every page visit.
Location data for Zapata includes coordinates 26.907260°N, 99.271426°W, situated in Zapata County. ZIP code 78076. Telephone area code: 210, 726. Timezone: Central Time (America/Chicago).
Weather data is sourced from the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) and the open-source Open-Meteo API. Aviation data is sourced from aviationweather.gov (NOAA), with a modeled estimate used where no nearby reporting station is available. River and stream data is sourced from the USGS National Water Information System. Tide predictions are sourced from NOAA CO-OPS; marine and solunar data are modeled from Open-Meteo and public sunrise/moon calculations and should be treated as a general guide alongside on-the-water conditions. Radar is provided by RainViewer. Satellite imagery is sourced from NOAA/NESDIS GOES-East and is public domain.
