Winter is coming Friday, prompting the National Weather Service to activate Winter Weather Warnings for Lubbock and the South Plains. Here’s what to know ahead of and during Winter Storm Fern.
What is a Winter Weather Warning?
A warning means concerning weather is imminent. For a winter weather warning, snow and sleet is expected to accumulate more than 4 inches across the region. Ice accumulations of one tenth of an inch is possible.
Roads will be slick and travel could be difficult. Power outages and tree damage are possible. People are urged to stay indoors. If you have to go outside, dress in layers and cover exposed skin.
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Where is the Winter Weather Warning in place? Which counties in the Lubbock area?
The warning is for these counties:
When is the Winter Weather Watch active?
This is active from noon Friday through noon Sunday, according to the NWS. Wind chill could plummet temperatures to about -15 degrees.
Could it snow? Here’s what the forecast predicts
The forecast from NWS predicts snow could appear Saturday. Here’s the weekend forecast:
Friday: Rain chances between 9 a.m.-3 p.m., followed by sleet and freezing rain. It will be cloudy with gusts as high as 25 mph. The night will bring a 90% chance of precipitation, likely sleet, and a low temperature of 13 degrees. Thunder is possible.
Saturday: Sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain, is expected before 3 p.m. More sleet, possibly mixed with snow and freezing rain, will follow. The high will be near 16 degrees. Snow could begin late that night.
Sunday: 40% chance of snow before noon. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 25 degrees and a low around 6.
Monday: Things start to warm up, but not by much with a high near 37 degrees and a low around 18.
Lubbock sits in the 4-6 inches of snow map from NWS, initially estimating around 4.7 inches.
Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock, South Plains under Winter Weather Warning, what to expect
Reporting by Alana Edgin, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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