LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - There is relief from the cold on the way, but a couple days will pass before significantly warmer weather returns.
The high temperature at Lubbock yesterday was 23°. That is the coldest-high temperature, or min-max temperature, for any February 19 in Lubbock's record (which dates back to 1911). The previous min-max record was 30° (in 2019).
This morning has been just about as cold as yesterday's, with lows ranging from the low single digits in the northeast viewing area to low teens in the southwest. Wind chill readings ranged from about 5 below to 5 above.
The EXTREME COLD WARNING and our First Alert Weather designation will expire at noon today. However, both this afternoon and tonight will be very cold.
Wind chill readings reported at 6:45 this morning were not quite as low as yesterday. Still, some of the lowest of the season. If you're outside and not dressed for it, this cold may result in frostbite in less than 20 minutes and hypothermia in less than 30 minutes.
Lubbock's low this morning was 10°, nearly the same as yesterday's 9° low. Lubbock's February 20 record low is 4° (in 1918).
Temperatures today will again peak in the 20s. My forecast high for Lubbock would be the coldest-high temperature for any February 20 in Lubbock's record. The current min-max record is 33° (in 1961).
Afternoon wind chills will be mostly in the teens. There may me a bit of sun this afternoon, mainly late, but the day overall will be overcast. The easterly wind will gradually becoming southeasterly, around 10 mph.
The extreme cold will linger into tomorrow morning. Low temperatures again will be in the single-digits and teens. Wind chills are likely to dip to around zero at times in the coldest spots. Lubbock's record low for February 21 is 4° (in 1918).
Lubbock, and most of the viewing area, have been below freezing since before 5 AM Tuesday. We will break the freezing mark tomorrow in the late morning or early afternoon. The area will continue to warm into next week, with highs near 80 degrees early next week. That's quite a turnaround.
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