Winter storm, heavy snow in forecast for South Plains, Panhandle into weekend
After a drizzly and rainy Thanksgiving and black Friday, a winter weather warning is effective across the western South Plains and extreme southwestern Panhandle through noontime Saturday.
The National Weather Service office in Lubbock does not anticipate steep accumulation for the majority of the region, although areas near the Texas-New Mexico border could face potential snow accumulations of up to 6 inches. Areas under a winter storm advisory — which primarily sit along the Interstate 27 corridor between Amarillo and Tahoka — could accumulate up to 4 inches of snow, although it is unlikely.
As of mid-afternoon Friday, the majority of the region had not yet accumulated any snow, although snowfall did occur in some areas along the Texas-New Mexico border, including several inches of accumulation near Friona.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the SW TX Panhandle & western S Plains, & a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for areas along I-27/US-87 tonight through Saturday morning. Here is a look at how much snow areas could see. Note that there will be localized heavier amts.#Lubwx pic.twitter.com/nYGX4Cd8YZ
— NWS Lubbock (@NWSLubbock) November 24, 2022
Hazardous travel conditions are possible as an impact of the wintry precipitation — though roads are more likely to be "slushy" than snow-covered. NWS Lubbock encourages those in the area to make alternative arrangements if possible, though road conditions should improve quickly once the precipitation event ends as temperatures warm into the high-40s Saturday afternoon.
Existing forecasts do not suggest any extended periods of below-freezing temperatures for the majority region.
"It's not going to get bitterly cold or anything like that," said NWS Lubbock senior forecaster Gary Skwira. "So, once the snow kind of stops or comes to an end, then the roads will quickly get slushy really quickly. It won't be a long-lasting event once it stops and conditions will improve quite rapidly."
The Texas Department of Transportation will monitor road conditions across the Panhandle-South Plains region throughout the weekend and will pre-treat roadways as needed — and has urged travelers to plan ahead by going to http://drivetexas.org to check on road conditions.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Winter storm watch issued for areas on the Caprock later this week
