Frosty Skies: Navigating Air Travel in Chilly Conditions

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – An EXTREME COLD ALERT (dark blue on the graphic) has been issued by the National Weather Service for the northern and western South Plains, the Panhandle, and eastern New Mexico through noon today (Tuesday). Additionally, a COLD WEATHER NOTICE (not highlighted) is in effect for the remainder of the KCBD/FOX34 viewing area until noon today (Tuesday).

Wind chill readings early this morning plummeted to as low as 20 degrees below zero in the far northern viewing area, ranging from 5 to 10 below zero in Lubbock, and reaching five below zero in many other parts of the viewing region. Dress suitably, in layers with a wind-resistant material as your outer layer. Safeguard your fingers and ears. Minimize your outdoor time to just a few minutes.

In these conditions, hypothermia and frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes.

Actual temperatures plunged to near zero in the far northwestern viewing region, while single-digit readings were common from Lubbock and the western and northern counties in the KCBD/FOX34 viewing area. Currently, Lubbock’s low temperature sits at 6°. This marks the coldest temperature recorded here since 5° on January 17 of the previous year.

Planning to travel by air today? Flying to or through Houston? Both Hobby and Bush airports ceased operations at midnight last night due to an approaching storm. Ice and unprecedented snowfall may occur. Flights from Lubbock to and from Houston have been cancelled. Travelers are encouraged to verify with their respective airline.

Total snow totals of 2-6 inches are anticipated across Southeast TX and Southwest LA. Certain areas might receive as much as 10 inches of snow.

Locally, temperatures are expected to rise this afternoon and in the upcoming days. The predicted pattern favors dry weather with intermittent breezy spells through the weekend.

This afternoon, expect sunshine with a west to southwest wind increasing to 10 to 20 mph, with gusts potentially reaching around 30 mph, contributing to a rise in temperatures into the mid-30s. This represents approximately 20 degrees below the seasonal average. If the wind does not strengthen as anticipated, temperatures may fall short of this projection.

Clear skies, breezy, and cold tonight, with lows around five degrees below the late January average. Wind chills late tonight are expected to drop into the single digits and teens.

From tomorrow through the weekend, conditions will generally remain clear. Temperatures will be about five degrees below average for tomorrow, declining to ten to fifteen degrees below on Thursday, followed by near-normal temperatures on Friday.

Expect cold nights and early mornings, although not as frigid as in recent days, with Lubbock-area lows typically in the 20s.

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