textproduct: Lubbock

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1136 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

- Elevated to critical fire weather conditions this afternoon on the Caprock.

- Cooler Sunday, but still warmer than normal.

- Very warm weather returns Monday through Friday.

SHORT TERM

(This afternoon through Sunday) Issued at 1136 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

Very warm and windy conditions have developed late this morning, especially across the southwestern half of the forecast area, ahead of a southward-moving cold front. The cold front was located along a Dalhart to Amarillo to Wellington line at 11 AM and will make steady progress southward through the afternoon, clearing the forecast area early evening. Wind speeds ahead of the cold front will begin to decrease late in the day and then shift to north-northeast with further speed decreases. The windy conditions and low relative humidity is supporting critical fire weather conditions across the Red Flag area and will continue to do so this afternoon. The air mass behind the front will be noticably cooler with lows tonight and highs Sunday back toward, but still above normal.

LONG TERM

(Sunday night through next Friday) Issued at 1136 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

An upper level ridge extending from Baja California to Florida at the beginning of the period Sunday night will result in zonal flow over the area Monday and a quick warmup as southwesterly low level flow is reestablished across the forecast area. Some amplification of the ridge over Texas on Tuesday with increasing heights and thicknesses as well as a continuation of southwesterly low level flow support a continuation of warm temperatures Tuesday into Wednesday. At this it is just a matter of some variations in the amplification of the ridge to the south, but in what is a fairly stagnant pattern, day-to-day changes will be small. This will support very warm temperatures, especially during the daylight hours. In fact, high temperature records at Lubbock will be in play each day from Monday through Friday. Childress records will be more difficult to hit due to some higher records there, the exception being Christmas Day when the is 77 degrees set in 1971.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1136 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

Strong, west-northwesterly winds will continue through mid-afternoon and transition to the northwest ahead of a cold front. Winds will shift to the north prior to sunset as the front moves through KCDS, KLBB, and KPVW. Winds will continue to diminish and veer towards the northeast near and after sunset. VFR prevails otherwise.

LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning until 7 PM CST this evening for TXZ027-028- 033>035-039>042.