textproduct: Midland/Odessa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 222 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

- A risk of significant flooding in heavy showers/storms persists across southern and eastern parts of the area through Friday. However, not everyone will see rainfall.

- Rain chances expand farther west into western higher terrain by early this weekend.

- Rain chances decrease early next week, becoming confined to the western higher terrain as highs warm back into the upper 80s to upper 90s F.

- Triple digits make a reappearance later next week as rain chances decrease further to near zero.

SHORT TERM

(This afternoon through Friday night) Issued at 209 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Scattered clouds, continued heavy rain with flash flooding risk, and cooler than average temperatures will bookend this week as the mid to upper low over west-central TX begins to develop west/northwest over the area. The development of the low has been slower to occur than usual mid-week, with more dry air wrapping around the western side of the low. This has kept shower/storm coverage below previous expectations. Additionally, PWATs have not reached similarly high values as on Monday when a record 1.85" was recorded on the MAF radiosonde. While PWATs may not again reach this level, there is expected to be less dry air compared to mid-week suppressing shower/storm formation today and tomorrow as the more humid core of the low approaches. On radar imagery late this morning, moderate to heavy showers/storms were slowly moving to the west over the northern Permian Basin into SE NM plains and farther south over the Marfa Plateau and Stockton Plateau, as more humid air on the fringes of the upper low begins to make its way over the area. Reports of flooding were received this morning from Scurry County, where 1"/hr to 1.25"/hr radar rainfall estimates were estimated from radar, even though storms had only moved over the area within the last few hours. Consequently, the existing Flash Flood Watch has been expanded west to include the western Permian Basin and SE NM plains, and Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for portions of the Western Low Rolling Plains. Expect a similar pattern of sudden precipitation bursts and threat of rapid rises near any bodies of water. As has been the case since the beginning of this week, dew point temperatures remain in the 60s F, and temperatures also remain less than 20F higher, mainly in the 70s and 80s F. This will minimize evaporation of falling precipitation and keep around the potential for heavy rainfall.

High-res CAMs suggest many showers/storms will be quick to form, dissipate, and re-form, so exact location and timing of precipitation will remain uncertain and not all locations will receive rainfall. However, medium (45% to 60%) 3hr PoPs over the southern and eastern portions of the forecast area today and tomorrow with PWATs remaining in the 1.25" to 1.60" range will allow for efficient warm rain processes. Additionally, NBM still shows forecast rainfall of 0.50" to 1.00" over Terrell County, and up to 0.50" from the Permian Basin to the Marfa Plateau and Rio Grande basin, while ensembles indicate a medium (30% to 50%) probability of rainfall 0.50" to 1" both today and tomorrow and higher percentile rainfall up to 1" to 2" today and 1" to 1.5" tomorrow for the southern and eastern parts of the forecast area. Motorists and hikers and campers are encouraged to avoid low water crossings. Make sure to have alerts turned on your device that receives weather alerts and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground if Flash Flood Warnings are issued. High temperatures will stay below average in the 70s and 80s F even down to the Rio Grande, as clouds and heavy rain limit diurnal heating. Diurnal range will also be limited, with lows only falling into the upper 50s to upper 60s F as clouds and dew point temperatures in the 60s F limit overnight cooling. The heavy rain and flash flood risk will continue this weekend but shift west. More on that in the Long Term Discussion below.

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 209 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Mid to upper ridging over the Rockies builds south over the Southern Great Plains this weekend through next week as the mid to upper low that has been largely responsible for the unsettled weather across west-central TX slowly develops west into northwest MX. As a result, decreasing rain chances are expected over time. However, at the beginning of the weekend, high (50% to 70%) rain chances will still be found during the day from the Presidio Valley into the Marfa Plateau and Guadalupes, with medium (35% to 50%) shower/storm chances over much of the forecast area continuing, as well as scattered development within humid air on the eastern side of the upper air low. A similar situation is expected Sunday. Correspondingly, with these lingering medium to high PoPs, there is a medium (35% to 50%) chance of rainfall up to 0.50" to 1.00", with highest end rain totals still showing 2" to 3" of rainfall. Therefore, while no flash flood products are anticipated beyond Friday at this time, we will continue to message potential for flash flooding. Hiker and campers should avoid low lying regions such as creeks, streams, and arroyos as well as steep slopes, especially near drainage basins, and be prepared to evacuate camp sites if flash flood warnings are issued. Motorists are also encouraged to continue to exercise caution while driving. Remember, flooded roadways can have running water that seems deeper than it appears: turn around, don't drown! Cloud cover decreases from east to west as greatest lift and moisture convergence associated with the low moves off to the west, allowing highs to rise back into the mid 80s to lower 90s F range, upper 70s to lower 80s F higher elevations.

Warmer and drier weather continues remains in the forecast after we get through this more humid and rainy stretch of weather. By early next week, the more familiar diurnal cycle of a 10% to 40% chance of showers/storms in the afternoon/evening persists southwest of the Pecos River. Therefore, flash flooding concerns will still be possible, especially if heavier showers/storms reoccur over soils saturated by rains earlier this weekend. Highs begin a more pronounced upward trend into the upper 80s to upper 90s F by Tuesday into the end of next week as the aforementioned mid to upper ridge and large scale sinking and drying motion develop squarely over the Southern Great Plains and reduce rain chances closer to near zero. Late next week, triple digits along the Rio Grande, Pecos River, and parts of the Permian Basin will also make a reappearance, with lows settling back into the mid 60s F to mid 70s F range following the upper 50s to upper 60s F seen for most this week. Fortunately, dew point temperatures are not forecast to remain as high as this week, but hot and dry summer weather will still increase heat stress.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 222 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

VFR expected to hold at most terminals for the morning. Increasing rain chances will bring about lower CIGs and VIS as coverage increases. Given ample low level moisture, cannot rule out low clouds developing during the morning. Amendments will be made based on trends in radar.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Big Spring 85 69 90 69 / 60 10 40 20 Carlsbad 92 70 95 69 / 20 20 50 40 Dryden 90 71 93 71 / 40 10 30 20 Fort Stockton 89 69 92 68 / 50 10 60 40 Guadalupe Pass 85 66 86 65 / 40 20 70 50 Hobbs 88 66 91 66 / 30 40 50 40 Marfa 84 59 86 58 / 50 20 70 50 Midland Intl Airport 86 69 90 69 / 40 20 40 30 Odessa 86 69 90 69 / 40 10 40 40 Wink 90 69 93 69 / 40 20 50 50

MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Flood Watch through this evening for Andrews-Borden-Central Brewster-Chinati Mountains-Chisos Basin-Crane-Davis Mountains-Davis Mountains Foothills-Dawson-Ector-Gaines- Glasscock-Howard-Loving-Lower Brewster County-Marfa Plateau- Martin-Midland-Mitchell-Pecos-Presidio Valley-Reagan-Reeves County Plains-Scurry-Terrell-Upton-Ward-Winkler.

NM...Flood Watch through this afternoon for Southern Lea.