Rainfall in West Texas can vary wildly from year to year, and many residents are already wondering how 2026 is shaping up for the Hub City. While some storms have passed through the South Plains recently, the overall rainfall totals are still something meteorologists keep a close eye on.

Here is a look at how much rain Lubbock has received so far this year and how it compares to normal.

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Rainfall Totals So Far In 2026

So far in 2026, Lubbock has received about 1.62 inches of rainfall for the year, depending on the reporting station used in the city, according to Rain Drop, which also lets you search by zip code. Some zipcodes received more rainfall than others, of course.

That number may sound small, but early months of the year are typically the driest in the region. To be specific, December- February are typically our driest months. West Texas usually sees its most significant rainfall later in the spring and early summer when thunderstorm season ramps up.

Because rainfall totals can vary across town, different monitoring sites may report slightly different totals, but overall, the South Plains has seen a fairly typical start to the year.

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How That Compares To Average

Through this point in the year, the average rainfall for Lubbock is roughly around 1 inch, meaning the city is currently running a little above normal for early-year precipitation.

For perspective, Lubbock typically receives about 18 inches of rain in an entire year, which means the vast majority of the city’s precipitation still happens later in the calendar year.

When Lubbock Usually Gets The Most Rain

Historically, Lubbock’s wettest months tend to be:

Those months often bring thunderstorms, severe weather, and heavy rain events that account for much of the area’s yearly precipitation totals.

Why Rain Matters In West Texas

Rainfall totals are especially important across the South Plains because they affect agriculture, water supplies, and wildfire risk.

Dry and windy conditions can quickly increase fire danger in the region, which is why local officials closely monitor precipitation levels during the winter and spring months.

As storm season approaches later this spring, rainfall totals in Lubbock could increase quickly if the area begins seeing regular thunderstorms.

Lubbock’s Most Extreme Weather Records

A look at the most extreme weather records Lubbock has set.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven