Here is your updated forecast from the KLBK First Warning Weather Center as of Saturday evening:

Short Term Forecast:
Perfect weather across the South Plains and the Rolling Plains on this Saturday. Highs today have topped out into the lower to middle 70s. Changes are on the way for the area tonight and Sunday Expect increasing clouds with fog developing across the region tonight. Lows will only drop into the lower 50s. There is a small chance for showers in the morning. The fog will burn off by mid-morning on Sunday. Clouds will decrease as the dryline begins to surge eastward throughout the day. It’ll turn windy and dusty late morning and into the afternoon across the area. There will still be a small chance for showers across the Rolling Plains ahead of the dryline. Highs will warm into the upper 70s and lower 80s. 

Fire Weather Concerns Sunday:
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Parmer County, Hall County, Dickens County, Castro County, Bailey County, Hockley County, Terry County, Lynn County, Yoakum County, Hale County, Briscoe County, Garza County, Motley County, Floyd County, Cochran County, Swisher County, Crosby County, Lamb County, Lubbock County, Dawson County and Gaines County. The Red Flag Warning will be in effect from Sunday afternoon and into early Sunday evening. Critical wildfire danger is expected across all of the South Plains and the portions of the Rolling Plains. 

The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a Red Flag Warning for Dawson County and Gaines County for Sunday afternoon and into early Sunday evening (12 PM – 8 PM).

Extended Forecast:
Cooler weather will return to the South Plains and the Rolling Plains for the upcoming week. Highs on Monday will fall back into the middle 60s. It will be cooler on Tuesday, with highs in the upper 50s and lower 50s. It will only be in the upper 50s on Wednesday. The later half of the week will bring around round of warmer weather to the area. Highs will climb back into the upper 60s to lower 70s on Thursday. We’ll warm into the middle 70s on Friday and into the upper 70s next Saturday.

Overnight lows will be mild Monday morning with middle to upper 30s expected. Colder mornings are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday morning was we fall back into the middle to upper 20s. Upper 20s to lower 30s are expected Thursday morning. It will be in the upper 30s Friday morning and in the middle 40s on Saturday morning.

Nearly all of the forecast models are showing a dry forecast across the South Plains and Rolling Plains for the coming week. The European forecast model, however, is showing a slight chance for showers next Saturday during the evening hours. For now, I’ll keep the forecast dry across the board. 

Drought Update:
Extreme and severe stage drought conditions continue across the South Plains and the Rolling Plains, according to the latest update of the U.S. Drought Monitor. As of Friday morning, only 0.20″ of rainfall has fallen in Lubbock in 2018. All of that rain fell during the month of February. 

Lubbock Climate Data for Friday, March 2:
Sunrise:  7:12 a.m.
Sunset:  6:46 p.m.
Normal High:  63°
Normal Low:  34°
Record High: 89° (2009)
Record Low:  -1° (1917)

Your KLBK First Warning Forecast:

Tonight: increasing clouds with fog developing overnight. Lows in the lower 50s. South wind 10-15 mph. 

Sunday: Areas of fog in the morning. Slight chance for a rain shower in the morning. Then decreasing clouds and turning windy. Areas of blowing dust expected in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Southwesterly wind 20-40 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear and cooler. Lows in the middle to upper 30s. Breezy with a southwesterly wind 15-25, turning northwesterly overnight.

Monday: Mostly sunny and cooler. Highs in the middle 60s. West wind 10-15 mph.

Meteorologist Chris Whited
KLBK First Warning Weather
cwhited@klbk13.tv
Facebook: Meteorologist Chris Whited
Twitter: @severewxchaser