textproduct: Midland/Odessa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 502 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

- Breezy northerly to northeasterly winds (15-25 mph sustained with gusts up to 35 mph) will continue across much of the area until late this afternoon.

- Near to below normal temperatures are forecast through early next week behind a series of cold fronts.

- Low (10-20%) rain chances Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning in the Big Bend, Rio Grande, and Presidio valleys. Otherwise, the forecast remains dry.

SHORT TERM

(This afternoon through Saturday night) Issued at 1255 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

Current satellite imagery and observations show the cold front near the Texas-Mexico border. Breezy winds (15-25 mph sustained with gusts up to 30-35 mph) behind the front are going to continue across much of the region until late this afternoon. As the aforementioned front pushes southward throughout the day, surface high pressure builds in filtering colder air. Most locations today will see highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Areas in the Big Bend region and along the Rio Grande are expected to have temperatures in the 60s and 70s as the colder air does not trickle in until after peak daytime heating. Tonight, the surface high pressure stays centered over portions of the Texas Panhandle into west Texas leading to mostly clear skies and a cold night. Low temperatures are forecast to span in the upper teens to low 30s regionwide. A cold day is in store tomorrow as the high pressure strengthens and slides into west central Texas. High temperatures are anticipated to be in the mid 40s to mid 50s for most locations. Breezy easterly and southeasterly winds (15-20 mph sustained) are also forecast Saturday afternoon due to a surface low pressure in northwestern Mexico and the aforementioned high pressure in west Texas creating tight pressure gradients. Guidance has a 500 mb jet maxima (70-80 kts) associated with the base of an upper-level trough displaced over the region during this time which will also contribute to these breezy winds. Saturday night into Sunday, strong cold air advection prompts the coldest night of the week. Lows are expected to range in the upper teens to upper 20s.

Lamberson

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 1255 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

After a cold Sunday morning, temperatures warm back to normal (upper 50s to low 60s) for this time of year thanks to northwesterly flow aloft and surface southwesterly winds redeveloping. These warmer temperatures do not last long as another cold front arrives on Monday. Monday and Tuesday high temperatures for areas north of Interstate 10 are forecast to be in the mid 40s to upper 50s, while areas south of this corridor in the low 60s to mid 70s on Monday with cooler temperatures on Tuesday. Ensemble and long-range guidance have low (10-20%) precipitation chances over the Big Bend region, Rio Grande, and Presidio valleys Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning. If precipitation occurs, little (< 0.05") rain accumulation is expected. Other than that, the forecast area will remain dry through the period. Cluster analysis hints at subtle upper-level ridging and northwesterly flow aloft bringing warmer than normal to near normal temperatures through the remainder of next week.

Lamberson

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 502 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

VFR conditions forecast throughout TAF period. Northeast winds at beginning of period shift to east/southeast by 01Z-03Z, then become more due east 20Z into end of period for terminals as surface high pressure develops south into the northern Permian Basin. Breeziest winds 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts possible developing for terminals over Lea County into Permian Basin and Stockton Plateau 14Z-21Z, before decreasing thereafter.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Big Spring 25 45 21 61 / 0 0 0 0 Carlsbad 27 47 23 63 / 0 0 0 0 Dryden 32 54 25 62 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Stockton 32 52 26 66 / 0 0 0 0 Guadalupe Pass 30 44 26 54 / 0 0 0 0 Hobbs 24 44 21 60 / 0 0 0 0 Marfa 21 54 17 59 / 0 0 0 0 Midland Intl Airport 27 45 24 59 / 0 0 0 0 Odessa 28 45 25 58 / 0 0 0 0 Wink 28 47 22 62 / 0 0 0 0

MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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