UPDATE 4:39 pm CST: Storm system is taking a track further south track and the Texas South Plains is now in prime position for the heavy snow. The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning, and widespread snowfall of 4-6inches with locally higher amounts possible, and whiteout conditions early tomorrow!
A rare treat may be in store for areas of west Texas starting tonight. A winter storm is taking shape and will move across the area, bringing accumulating snows to most of west Texas. Right now, it doesn’t appear that widespread snow accumulations will be particularly high, perhaps only an inch or two for most of the area, but some areas on the north side of the track of the system could see 4″ or a little more.
Right now that area appears to be areas east of I27 and north of Hwy 114. However, some models are taking this system a little more easterly than northeasterly, and if that happens, the heavier precipitation would be a little further south.
The snow will be behind a cold front currently plowing through the northern south plains and should be through the area by late this evening. As the front passes, temps will drop considerable and any precip should change over to snow. Gusty winds will also be a factor, especially on Christmas Eve as the storm system moves east of the area. This will certainly push around any loose snow.
There has only been snow on the ground in Lubbock, Texas 13 times in the last 97 years of records being kept. Should snow be on the ground tomorrow, it will be a rare treat for everyone in west Texas.
As with all winter weather, travel conditions will deteriorate and people traveling in the area through the holidays should be very careful. This storm has blizzard potential for those traveling further northeast into OK and KS. Winter weather advisories, watches and warnings are up from Texas to Michigan for this system.
You can find Texas road conditions on the TXDOT website.
In the warm sector, folks in the eastern half of Texas are dealing with severe weather with a tornado watch already up and some storms already appear to be trying to produce tornadoes! Folks in the eastern part of Texas need to pay close attention to their local sources of information, and have those weather radios ON, especially as it gets dark. Winter tornadoes are some of the worst killers because of the time of year and they mostly come after dark, people aren’t as aware of the potential.
