LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) -After a breezy Saturday across the South Plains, calmer and cooler weather is on the way tonight.
The gusty west winds that pushed temperatures into the 80s earlier are easing as a cold front moved through.
If you’re wondering why westerly winds brought warmth, it’s due to something called the adiabatic process (part of what meteorologists refer to as the downslope effect).
When winds blow from the west, they’re moving downslope off the higher terrain of New Mexico toward lower elevations of the South Plains. As air sinks, it compresses under higher pressure and warms. Similar to how air heats up inside a bike pump when it’s squeezed.
So even with a cold front was approaching, those pre-frontal west winds, combined with plenty of sunshine, temporarily boosted temperatures into the 80s before cooler air settles in behind the front.
Tonight, that cooler, drier air mass is taking over. Winds are shifting to the northeast and will ease up after sunset. Thanks to this and clear overnight skies, temperatures will drop into the 30s and 40s across the region.
Cool, crisp night ahead(KCBD)
The drier air and clear skies will make for a crisp quiet start to Sunday.
Sunday will bring sunshine and lighter winds, though it’ll feel noticeably cooler.
Highs Sunday(KCBD)
Afternoon highs will top out in the mid to upper 70s, making for a pleasant fall day before the next warm up early next week.
Cooler temperatures and lighter winds expected tomorrow(KCBD)
A strong upper-level trough will move in from the northwest on Monday, stirring up gusty west winds and send highs back into the 80s.
Windy conditions return Monday(KCBD)
Fire danger will return under those warm, dry, and breezy conditions before another cold front drops in late Monday night, knocking temperatures back into the 70s on Tuesday.
The next shot of rain arrives Thursday as another system approaches from the west. While it’s still too early to nail down the details, the best chances currently look to be off the Caprock. After that, expect a return to warmer, drier air heading into next weekend.
7 Day Forecast(KCBD)
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