Wind Advisory 18, NWS Lubbock, TX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
218 PM CDT Fri Apr 22 2022

.SHORT TERM...
The main focus for this afternoon and evening will be the
possibility for strong to severe thunderstorms. Clouds have been
slow to clear the region resulting in temperatures just now reaching
the 80 degree mark. Temperatures should continue to slowly rise
through the afternoon as additional sunshine is attained. Cooler
temps have kept a fairly stout capping inversion overhead with 15Z
LBB AMDAR sounding showing a +6C inversion and a convective temp of
84F. Evidence of the still in place cap is evident on visible
satellite with low level cumulus present across much of the Caprock.
The CU field is most dense from Floyd county southwestward to Lea
county, New Mexico where surface moisture is abundant and surface
flow is somewhat convergent. Currently convective models are in a
general consensus that convective initiation should occur in this
general vicinity northward to the western Texas Panhandle as a
dryline works its way eastward from eastern New Mexico. Overall
upper level support for storm development appears to be marginal at
best which explains why models keep convective coverage isolated and
limited, if the model has convection at all. For now the forecast
will reflect low end storm chances. This will be due to storms
relying mostly on low level initiation which, like with the upper
levels, is lacking enthusiasm. If a storm is able to develop it will
have plenty of CAPE to work with as SPC RAP Mesoanalysis continues
to show MLCAPE between 2000-2500 j/Kg, 0-6 km shear around 50+
knots, and modestly steep lapse rates. The main threats will be wind
gusts up to 70 mph and large hail up to baseball size. The overall
lack of backed surface winds and weak 0-1 km shear will limit the
overall tornado threat, but it will not be null as dewpoints remain
near 60F. Storms will move quickly to the northeast with the overall
convective threat decreasing significantly after sunset.

The combination of a developing surface low over southeastern
Colorado and 40-50 knot LLJ will allow for a windy start to the
night with solid advisory level winds expected. GFS MOS is the most
bullish with sustained winds of 46 mph forecasted at LBB between 7
PM and 1 AM. NAM MOS keeps winds slightly lower at 40 mph. The wind
forecast has been increased accordingly for this evening to reflect
the potential for strong winds. The Wind Advisory will remain in
place through 1 AM tonight across the entire South Plains region.

The upper low currently over the Four Corners will push a Pacific
Front through the region late tomorrow morning into the afternoon.
Though still on the breezy side, winds will be lower tomorrow
afternoon than what is expected tonight (15-20 mph). Minimum RH
values will drop to near 10 percent area wide tomorrow afternoon
despite slightly cooler temps. This will result in elevated to
critical fire weather danger.

.LONG TERM...
As the upper level trough spins off into the Northern Plains on
Saturday, it will send a cold front through the area late Saturday
through early Sunday. This will provide the area with several days
of cooler than seasonal average temperatures. This front is still
expected to stall out just to the south of the area after it moves
through on Sunday. Another short wave moving through the
central/southern Rockies will rotate around the larger scale trough
on Sunday. This will keep southwesterly flow aloft near the frontal
zone. Areas close to the front could see widespread heavy rainfall
which may affect portions of the southern Rolling Plains and
southern South Plains. The location of heavy rainfall will be highly
dependent on the position of the stalled out front. There will be a
strong demarcation between high and low precipitable water air. This
will last through the day Sunday into early Monday when a
reinforcing shot of surface ridging moves into the area.
Temperatures will be on the increase beginning mid-week with an
upper ridge moving overhead.

&&

.LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday
evening for TXZ021>044.

Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Saturday for TXZ021>044.

&&

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