textproduct: Midland/Odessa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 221 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

- Hot temperatures and mostly dry conditions prevail over much of the region through at least early next week.

SHORT TERM

(This afternoon through Wednesday night) Issued at 221 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

A typical hot and dry summer day is unfolding this afternoon across west Texas and SE NM. Broad, mid-to-upper level ridging overlays much of the western and central CONUS. Lows tonight cool to the 60s in the higher terrain, with 70s elsewhere. Highs Wednesday will top out a couple of degrees over today's, with triple digit heat becoming slightly more prominent. Despite this, temperatures look to remain near to below Advisory criteria. Large scale subsidence below this feature keeps most areas dry through the Short Term period. However, a low (~10%) chance of isolated shower/storm development is forecast in and near the Davis Mountains later this afternoon and again Wednesday afternoon. CAMs show a few storms developing with a shortwave impulse over eastern NM Wednesday afternoon, potentially reaching SE NM during the evening.

LONG TERM

(Thursday through Monday) Issued at 221 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Late this week and into the weekend, upper level ridging amplifies over the western and central CONUS, while upper troughing deeps over the eastern CONUS. The center of this feature looks to hover near our region through the period. With a relatively unchanging weather pattern, temperatures likewise have little day-to-day variation. Areas in and near the higher terrain can expect nightly lows to fall to the 60s, while lows everywhere else drop to the 70s. Highs each afternoon are generally progged to reach the 90s to low 100s, remaining below Advisory criteria. The hottest conditions shall tend to be along the Rio Grande river valley, especially in the Big Bend, where highs may top out near 110 degrees most afternoons. Rain chances overall look slim to none for most of the region through the extended forecast. Another shortwave impulse may lead to isolated showers/storms within portions of SE NM Thursday afternoon and evening. Regardless, rain chances in these areas remain low (<20%).

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1250 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

VFR conditions and light winds are expected the next 24 hours.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Big Spring 75 102 75 102 / 0 0 0 0 Carlsbad 72 102 73 102 / 0 0 0 0 Dryden 75 102 75 102 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Stockton 73 100 73 100 / 0 0 0 0 Guadalupe Pass 68 93 70 93 / 0 0 0 0 Hobbs 70 101 71 101 / 0 0 0 0 Marfa 61 93 63 95 / 10 10 10 0 Midland Intl Airport 75 100 75 100 / 0 0 0 0 Odessa 75 100 75 100 / 0 0 0 0 Wink 73 102 74 102 / 0 0 0 0

MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...None. NM...None.