textproduct: Midland/Odessa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 201 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

- Critical fire weather conditions today, especially across southeast New Mexico and westernmost portions of the area. Near- critical to critical fire weather concerns persist for generally these same locations through at least the weekend.

- High winds continue in the Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains through this afternoon. Winds remain breezy elsewhere today.

- Unseasonably warm and dry conditions are expected through at least early next week.

SHORT TERM

(This afternoon through Friday night) Issued at 201 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Current mesoanalysis depicts an upper-level trough extending from the Northern Plains southward into roughly the Four Corners region. Meanwhile, an upper-level jet is rounding the base of this feature, and a surface trough extends across the plains. Westerly downsloping winds increase across west Texas and southeast New Mexico this afternoon thanks to these features (sustained winds between 20-30 mph, especially in southeast New Mexico, the Permian Basin, and in the higher terrain). This not only helps keep temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s and low 90s, but also encourages critical fire weather conditions across western portions of the area. See the fire weather discussion below for more details on fire weather concerns through the remainder of the week. The High Wind Warning issued for today also remains in effect through this evening for the Guadalupe/Delaware Mountains. Lows tonight bottom out in the 50s for most, with low 60s in the eastern Permian Basin and Lower Trans-Pecos.

Westerly winds continue Friday, though they decrease relative to today as the upper-level jet moves east of our area and the pressure gradient at the surface weakens. The relatively strongest winds (sustained at 15-20 mph, up to 25 mph) will once again be located over portions of southeast New Mexico and in/around the higher terrain, where another Fire Weather Watch is in effect. Temperatures Friday end up similar to today's (about 5-10 degrees above normal).

Sprang

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 201 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Another upper-level trough begins to move across the western CONUS Saturday and into Sunday. Winds begin to increase once again on Saturday ahead of this system, particularly for westernmost portions of the area. Sunday looks to feature the strongest winds of the forecast as an upper-level jet moves over the region and another surface trough develops in the lee of the Rockies. As a result, fire weather concerns persist through the weekend, and wind products may be necessary for (mainly westernmost) portions of the area Sunday afternoon and evening. Highs in the upper 80s and low-to-mid 90s remain commonplace through the weekend. A Pacific front Sunday evening/overnight allows temperatures to cool very slightly early next week. Nevertheless, highs remain about 10 degrees above normal for late April. Meanwhile, rain chances remain near-zero through early next week as the dryline remains largely to our east. By the middle of the week, long-range guidance suggests the dryline may once again attempt to sneak back into our area, allowing for low rain chances (10-20%) to return to our eastern counties. We will continue to keep an eye on how these rain chances trend, so stay tuned for updates!

Sprang

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1208 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

VFR remains through the TAF period. Gusts around 25kts prevail into this evening at most locations. Winds shift to the northwest tomorrow morning.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 201 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Westerly winds will be prevalent through at least early next week. These downsloping winds help keep west Texas and southeast New Mexico warm and dry for the remainder of this week and through the weekend. Critical min RHs are expected daily across most of the region. Recent wetting rains across much of west Texas have allowed ERCs to fall back near or below the 50th percentile. However, fuels remain relatively drier across southeast New Mexico, and drying will continue areawide over the next few days. Winds will tend to be stronger across westernmost portions of the area through early next week. Rain chances remain near-zero through at least early next week as well.

For today, winds will largely be sustained between 20-30 mph across much of the area (particularly northern and westernmost portions). A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for southeast New Mexico, the Upper Trans-Pecos, and locations in/around the higher terrain west of the Pecos today. Winds decrease Friday and Saturday relative to today. Nevertheless, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Friday afternoon and evening across similar locations as today for near- critical fire weather conditions. Near-critical conditions persist Saturday before winds increase again and critical conditions redevelop Sunday. Though winds look to decrease relative to Sunday by early next week, fire weather concerns may linger at least into Monday as well.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Big Spring 59 91 58 94 / 0 0 0 0 Carlsbad 57 89 57 90 / 0 0 0 0 Dryden 64 95 62 96 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Stockton 62 91 61 94 / 0 0 0 0 Guadalupe Pass 55 79 56 80 / 0 0 0 0 Hobbs 54 87 55 89 / 0 0 0 0 Marfa 49 83 48 86 / 0 0 0 0 Midland Intl Airport 59 90 60 92 / 0 0 0 0 Odessa 59 89 60 92 / 0 0 0 0 Wink 57 91 56 93 / 0 0 0 0

MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Red Flag Warning until midnight CDT /11 PM MDT/ tonight for Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-Eastern Culberson- Gaines-Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Loving-Reeves County Plains-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor.

High Wind Warning until 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening for Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains.

Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening for Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-Eastern Culberson-Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Marfa Plateau-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor.

NM...Red Flag Warning until 11 PM MDT this evening for Chaves Plains- Eddy Plains-Lea-Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains.

High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County.

Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening for Chaves Plains-Eddy Plains-Sacramento Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains.