KLBK’s Ag Journal Forecast: September 24, 2024

LUBBOCK, TX (KLBK) — KLBK Chief Meteorologist Jacob Riley has your Tuesday evening Ag-Journal weather update.

RAINFALL ALMANAC:

For both the month, and year as a whole, Lubbock is sitting above average! By this point of September, we’ve usually received 2.00″ of measurable rainfall in Lubbock. As of September 24, we have received 3.01″, giving us a 1.01″ surplus for the month! When looking at 2024 as a whole, 17.42″ of liquid precipitation as been recorded at Preston Smith International Airport, which is where all official weather records for Lubbock are measured. This puts us 2.72″ above the average annual rainfall amount at this point in the year of 14.70″!

PRECIPITATION STATS:

Over the past 30 calendar days, we have see both feast and famine regarding rainfall around the region. The percent of average image below shows that areas shaded in green, blue, and gray have received average or above average rainfall over the past 30 calendar days. Areas in yellow, orange, and red have seen less than average rainfall for the exact same timeframe. The rainfall deficit graphic below puts and actual number rather than a percentage on how far behind rainfall totals are for some. Anywhere on this image that is shaded has seen less than average rainfall over the past 30 calendar days.

DROUGHT UPDATE:

Multiple stages of drought continue to be reported across the South Plains and the Rolling Plains, according to the latest update of the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) released on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Extreme stage (D3) drought conditions, severe stage (D2) drought conditions, moderate stage (D1) drought conditions and abnormally dry (D0) status were reported across the Rolling Plains. Moderate stage (D1) drought conditions and abnormally dry (D0) status were reported across the South Plains. A small area of severe stage (D2) drought conditions was reported across Swisher County. This latest update does not take into account the heavy rainfall that we saw over portions of the region this past weekend. Several inches of rain fell in some of our most drought stricken regions, and should allow us to see some improvement on this Thursday’s newest update.

RAINFALL OUTLOOK NEXT 7 DAYS:

No rainfall is expected across eastern New Mexico or western Texas over the next week. Isolated showers will be possible across Big Country through East Texas, but the western half of Texas looks to remain rain free. Recent rainfall will help the mitigate the risk of any flash drought conditions developing within the next week.

5-DAY FORECAST:

Over the next five days, calm and mild conditions can be expected across eastern New Mexico and western Texas. Highs will remain in the upper 70s to low 90s, with the warmest days occurring during the second half of our weekend. Morning lows will remain in the upper 40s to low 60s. A clear to partly cloudy sky can be expected each day. Sustained winds will remain below 20 MPH each day. The direction of the wind will shift nearly every day. We will remain dry during the five day forecast period.

EXTENDED OUTLOOK:

Temperatures look to remain above average for both the 6-10 and 8-14 day timeframes, which run September 30 through October 8, 2024. Our average high and low temperatures for those dates are around 80° and 54° for the city of Lubbock. There is currently a 50%-70% chance for us to see temperatures above these averages through the respective timeframes.

Precipitation trends are signaling that we could see below average rainfall around the region. Our average rain total in Lubbock for these timeframes is 0.71″. There is currently a 40%-60% chance we will see rainfall totals less than this over the next 6-14 day period.

Lubbock Climate Data for Tuesday, September 24, 2024:
Sunrise: 7:37 AM CDT
Sunset: 7:40 PM CDT
Average High: 83°
Average Low: 57°
Record High: 97° (1953)
Record Low: 38° (1989)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, South Plains!

-Jacob

Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Jacob Riley KLBK
X: @jrileywx

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com.