LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Wintry temperatures and light wintry showers are making a short visit to the South Plains. Neither will last. Temperatures will begin recovering as soon as tomorrow afternoon with highs in the 70s by the start of the new year.
Behind Sunday’s strong cold front Lubbock area temperatures dropped from 67 degrees at 12:45 PM to 42 degrees at 5:45 PM. Cold air continued to surge into the South Plains area overnight, taking temperatures to below freezing across the KCBD/FOX34 viewing area before sunrise this morning.
Light snow is developing in the cold air over some of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. For most of the KCBD/FOX34 area, including the Lubbock area, I’m still expecting at most flurries, if that, (as I mentioned during our morning and noon broadcasts last Friday and Facebook this weekend).
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Gaines and Lea Counties until midnight tonight (12 AM CST Tuesday).(KCBD First Alert)
Light accumulation, less than an inch, may occur on grassy areas and other raised surfaces (such as vehicles, decks, and stairs) over the far southwestern viewing area. In particular, in and near Gaines, Yoakum, and northern Lea counties. Heavier snowfall may result in greater amounts over central and southern Lea county.
With the exception of raised roads, such as bridges and overpasses, accumulation is not expected on viewing-area roads due to the very warm weather we’ve had of late warming the ground. Roads, however, may be wet. Still, allow extra drive-time and plan to slow your commute.
The middle image is the most likely outcome of the three shown here.(NWS Albuquerque | NWS Albuquerque)
The images here, from the National Weather Service, indicate a range of potential snowfall amounts. The middle graphic is what is most likely. Either side of that show the low and high range of possibilities. Both are less likely than the middle outcome.
Again, the amount of snow that falls is not necessarily the same as snow accumulation. With the warm ground much of any snow that may fall is going to melt.
Note that hazardous travel conditions may develop nearer to Carlsbad and more so in the mountains of southern New Mexico and especially in the Guadalupe Pass area.
Cloudy and cold with highs well-below average this afternoon.(KCBD First Alert)
Today otherwise cloudy with a slight chance of flurries. Cold with highs 10 to 15 degrees below end-of-year averages. Wind direction remains north-to-northwest, but speeds mostly below 10 mph.
Clearing tonight, along with a nearly calm wind, will lead to the coldest night of the week – and the coldest since at least early December. Patchy fog may develop over the western viewing area.
Clearing and cold tonight. Patchy fog may develop over the western viewing area.(KCBD First Alert)
Tomorrow sunshine and a light westerly wind will contribute to temperatures peaking near to slightly above average, generally in the 50s.
Cold again Tuesday night under a clear sky and with a light wind.
New Year’s Eve day, Wednesday, will be mostly sunny with highs returning to above average for the last day of the year. Highs will be mostly in the 60s.
Today’s wintry visit doesn’t last. Temperatures rebound quickly as the new year approaches.(KCBD First Alert)
New Year’s Eve night, partly cloudy and not as cold. Still, temperatures will fall into the 30s by the time 2026 dawns.
New Year’s Day partly sunny – more clouds than sunshine – with well-above average highs. Afternoon temperatures in the 70s are expected across much of the viewing area.
Forecast peak sustained winds are shown in this graph. Peak gusts will exceed the values shown here.(KCBD First Alert)
Dry and seasonably mild weather follows for Friday and the first weekend of 2026.
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