textproduct: Lubbock

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1047 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

- Record breaking highs possible Wednesday and Thursday.

- Critical fire danger possible Thursday and Friday.

- A cold front passing through early Friday morning will bring a cooler weekend.

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Thursday) Issued at 1047 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Hot and breezy conditions expected Wednesday as upper ridging over the Desert Southwest has started to progress to the east towards the region. Wednesday will start off with a warmer morning compared to previous with temperatures in the upper 40s to upper 50s. Current surface observations show light southeasterly surface flow, however are expected to shift to the southwest through the overnight hours and light through the morning. The development of a lee surface trough will tighten the pressure gradient giving way for breezy south to southwesterly winds Wednesday afternoon. Thickness increases and southerly surface flow will aide in warming temperatures to the 90s across the region with record breaking highs possible at KLBB and KCDS. The current record for KLBB is 91 degrees set in 2025 with a forecast high of 96 degrees. The current record high at KCDS is 92 last set in 1998 with a forecast high of 97 degrees. Breezy winds and dry conditions will bring elevated fire danger Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night will be mild with lows in the 50s to lower 60s with moderate south to southwesterly winds.

LONG TERM

(Thursday night through next Tuesday) Issued at 1047 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

The long term forecast will start off with the continuation of record breaking heat on Thursday as the upper ridging persists overhead. Some localized areas could see highs in the triple digits. A lee surface trough tightening the pressure gradient will bring breezy southwesterly winds during the afternoon hours Thursday. Hot temperatures, breezy winds, and dry conditions will bring critical fire danger to the entire region Thursday afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for late Thursday morning through early Thursday evening for the entire CWA. Luckily, the record breaking temperatures do not continue into the weekend. A cold front will push southward through the region early Friday morning. The front will drop temperatures about 30 degrees Friday and Saturday compared to the record breaking heat from previous days. Strong north to northeasterly winds following the front will bring the return of critical fire danger to the region Friday afternoon. Winds will return to the south Saturday in response to a lee surface trough developing. Upper ridging will build back over the region at the start of next week warming temperatures above seasonal average once again.

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 600 AM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026

VFR with S winds increasing to around 15 knots this afternoon and continuing tonight.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1047 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Critical fire danger is likely on Thursday. The development of a lee surface trough will give way to breezy south to southwesterly winds Thursday afternoon. Winds speeds of 15-25 mph with wind gusts up to 35 mph will be possible. RH values will reach as low as 6 percent through the afternoon with the lowest values along the NM/TX border.

LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Fire Weather Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday evening for TXZ021>044.