The cold air that was alluded to earlier in the week has now spilled into the ‘lower 48’, and will continue its march towards Lubbock overnight. Ahead of the front, you have less than 24 hours of unseasonably mild fall weather to enjoy.
Image Courtesy US Air Net.
Temperatures across northern portions of Montana a are already below zero, and will continue to fall tonight. This very dense, cold, air will help drive our cold front southward, very quickly. With a little extra push behind it, the front is now expected to approach Lubbock sometime Thursday afternoon, possibly before 5PM. As mentioned, conditions ahead of it will be pleasant, with temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s.
Graphic courtesy NWS Lubbock.
While clouds, and a few sprinkles, will be widespread ahead of the front, there is a slight chance for more significant thunderstorms right along and behind it. The best chance is expected to remain east of Lubbock, across the Rolling Plains. However, be prepared for the storm potential.
Then, behind the front, temperatures will plummet as howling north winds pump all of this cold air into the region. It would not surprise me to see temperatures drop 20°-30° in less than one-hours time, followed by a more gradual decline thereafter.
The chance of wintry weather will also increase significantly behind the front. By Friday morning, temperatures will be in the lower 20’s across the Hub City with sleet, freezing drizzle, or some combination of the two, falling across portions of the area. Current road temperatures are warm after the past few days of mild temps, though many hours of temps remaining below freezing could cool these surfaces enough to promote ice build-up. The most at-risk surfaces to develop slick spots will be elevated roadways, such as bridges and overpasses.
The cold weather will stick around through at least Sunday, with more chances for occasional wintry showers, into Monday morning.
Stay Tuned,
Cutter
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