textproduct: Midland/Odessa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 245 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

- Cool temperatures continue through the weekend before trending back above normal next week.

- Monitoring for low (10-40%) rain chances across our region, especially our western counties by the latter part of next week.

SHORT TERM

(This afternoon through Sunday night) Issued at 245 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Surface high pressure is expected to set up to our east today, bringing light easterly winds to the region. Expect another chilly day with widespread highs in the 50s to low 60s. Tonight, mostly clear skies and light winds will allow for overnight lows to dip into the 30s across portions of southeast New Mexico, the higher terrain, and much of the Permian Basin. Southerly return flow yields highs in the 60s for most on Sunday, with low 70s in the Trans Pecos. A warming trend continues into the long term period (more on that in the Long Term discussion below).

Greening

LONG TERM

(Monday through Friday) Issued at 245 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Upper-level ridging will build from the southern Plains to the Mississippi Valley early next week, while an upper-level low digs over the eastern Pacific off the California coast. A relatively weak southwesterly flow aloft will remain in place over our forecast area between these features Monday and Tuesday. The low levels remain fairly dry so no measurable precipitation is anticipated. A gradual warming trend will occur early next week with highs reaching back into the upper 70s to mid 80s by Tuesday. Upper-level ridging will build over west Texas and southeast New Mexico Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures will remain above normal with readings in the upper 70s to mid 80s through the middle to latter part of the week. The next shortwave trough lifting from the Desert Southwest toward the southern Plains will bring an increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday night into Friday, especially over western portions of the forecast area.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1222 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

VFR conditions prevail at all terminals and light easterly winds shift to return flow after 03Z this evening.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Big Spring 39 68 46 76 / 0 0 0 0 Carlsbad 41 72 48 78 / 0 0 0 0 Dryden 43 64 47 72 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Stockton 41 74 49 81 / 0 0 0 0 Guadalupe Pass 40 68 52 74 / 0 0 0 0 Hobbs 38 65 44 73 / 0 0 0 0 Marfa 36 68 43 74 / 0 0 0 0 Midland Intl Airport 41 66 48 74 / 0 0 0 0 Odessa 41 66 48 74 / 0 0 0 0 Wink 41 69 48 77 / 0 0 0 0

MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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