LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) -This weekend, temperatures are climbing into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, with some areas pushing even hotter. Placing the region on track to challenge or break daily records.
Yesterday we hit March’s all-time single-day high temperature in Lubbock of 95°.
Near record highs today(KCBD)
We could reach or surpass the warmest January–March temperature on record for the South Plains/Rolling Plains of 103°F which was recorded at Guthrie on March 27, 1971.
Guthrie is expected to reach 102°
Paducah 103°
Matador 102°
Heat is only one part of the story. The air is incredibly dry. Humidity levels are expected to drop around 5% (which is low even for West Texas). When air is that dry it doesn’t take much for a small spark to become a fast moving fire.
There is a Red Flag Warning in effect today from noon until 8 PM.
Red flag warning in effect for most of the area noon-8pm(KCBD)
Breezy, hot, and dry southwest winds today will lead to critical fire weather conditions areawide.
At the center of this is a strong area of high pressure parked over the southwestern United States.
The current pattern: high pressure parked over the southwestern U.S.(KCBD)
This acts like a lid on the atmosphere, forcing air to sink toward the ground. As it sinks, the air compresses and warms, sending temperatures well above normal. At the same time, sinking air dries out as it descends, stripping away moisture and driving humidity to extremely low levels.
By Sunday, the pattern starts to shift as a dry cold front moves south through the area.
Cold front briefly switches up pattern on Sunday(KCBD)
Behind it, the wind will shift, remain strong, and dry with moisture barely improving. Which is why a fire weather watch is in effect for Sunday.
Fire Weather Watch for Sunday(KCBD)
Breezy west winds Sunday morning will turn northeast by the afternoon at 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Combined with very dry air and more heat, critical fire weather conditions are possible.
Monday highs will fall back down into the 70s, but it won’t last long.
Temperature trend(KCBD)
That same high-pressure system quickly rebuilds over the Southwest and expands back into Texas by Tuesday.
7 Day Forecast(KCBD)
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