Here is your updated forecast from the KLBK First Warning Weather Center as of Saturday evening:
Short Term Forecast:
I hope you all enjoyed the the rainfall on Friday and early this morning across the South Plains and the Rolling Plains. It looks like everyone got some rain, based on data from the West Texas Mesonet sites. The higher rainfall amounts fell across the northern South Plains and Rolling Plains. Amounts were lighter the further south you went. Lubbock officially recorded 0.18″ of rainfall at the airport adding up Friday and Saturday’s rainfall amounts. We’ll remain partly cloudy tonight with lows falling back into the upper 30s and lower 40s across the area. It’ll become mostly cloudy in the morning. Interesting to note that new data coming in this evening is now showing a few showers across the far southern South & Rolling Plains, as well as the northern Permian Basin Sunday morning. We’ll take it, we need the rain. Otherwise expect a mixture of sun and clouds the rest of the day. A weak dryline will set up across the area tomorrow afternoon and could kick off a stray shower or two, mainly east of I-27 and U.S. 87.
Extended Forecast:
The West Texas wind machine will be pretty active this coming week across the South Plains and the Rolling Plains. Highs will be in the 70s on Monday but will drop back into the upper 60s on Tuesday. Colder air will return to the area on Wednesday with highs falling back into the 40s. It’ll be in the 50s on Thursday. We’ll start to warm back up by the end of the week and next Saturday with highs back into the 60s.
Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s Monday morning and into the middle 40s Tuesday morning. Lows will drop back into the 20s for Wednesday and Thursday morning, before climbing back into the 30s Friday and Saturday morning.
Long range models are hinting at a slight chance for rain by Friday and Saturday with a return of moisture and a our old friend the dryline in the area. For now, we’ll hold off on rain chances and adjust the forecast as new model data arrives.
Drought Update:
The latest update of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows severe to extreme stage drought conditions are in place across the northern and central counties of the South Plains and the Rolling Plains. Severe stage drought conditions are in place across the southern counties of the South Plains and Rolling Plains, as well as the northern Permian Basin. U.S. Drought Monitor updates are released each Thursday.
Lubbock Climate Data for Sunday, February 18:
Sunrise: 7:28 a.m.
Sunset: 6:34 p.m.
Normal High: 60°
Normal Low: 31°
Record High: 87° (2016)
Record Low: -2° (1978)
Your KLBK First Warning Forecast:
Tonight: Partly Ccoudy with lows in the upper 30s and lower 40s. Southeasterly wind 5-10 mph.
Sunday: A mixture of clouds and sunshine, breezy and warmer. Highs in the middle 70s. Southwesterly wind 15-25 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy and warmer with lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s. South-southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday: Partly cloudy, windy and warm. Areas of blowing dust possible. Highs in the middle 70s. Southwesterly wind 15-35 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Have a nice Sunday,
Meteorologist Chris Whited
KLBK First Warning Weather
cwhited@klbk13.tv
Facebook: Meteorologist Chris Whited
Twitter: @severewxchaser