textproduct: Midland/Odessa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1201 AM CDT Fri Apr 24 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

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

VFR conditions forecast throughout the TAF period, with westerly winds 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots at terminals from 14Z-19Z and continuing through 23Z-02Z before decreasing back below 15 knots. Highest winds gusting at or above 25 knots expected for terminals over the Eddy County Plains.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Big Spring 91 58 94 63 / 0 0 0 0 Carlsbad 89 57 90 62 / 0 0 0 0 Dryden 95 62 96 64 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Stockton 91 61 94 64 / 0 0 0 0 Guadalupe Pass 79 56 80 59 / 0 0 0 0 Hobbs 87 55 89 60 / 0 0 0 0 Marfa 83 48 86 51 / 0 0 0 0 Midland Intl Airport 90 60 92 64 / 0 0 0 0 Odessa 89 60 92 65 / 0 0 0 0 Wink 91 56 93 62 / 0 0 0 0

MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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