The weather forecast has changed from earlier in the week and forecast models continue to come together about the wintry precipitation headed our way. There is a winter storm watch issued for the area which begins on Thursday at 6:00 pm. The computers are showing some rain showers beginning on Friday morning, mainly staying on the light side. Those light showers will continue on Friday afternoon. The high temperature on Friday will reach 36°. So when readings are at, or just below 32° Friday morning, slick spots will be an issue. Those slick spots will not be as numerous as what we'll see Saturday morning.
The main area of frozen precipitation is looking to affect Lubbock after midnight Friday night, so into Saturday morning. That rain is going to freeze on contact with roads, bridges and overpasses from really midnight Saturday until 6:00 am. Once we see the column of below freezing air from a few thousand feet up reach the surface, the precipitation will fall as snow. Snow is expected to be light, with about an inch of accumulation in the northern counties. Lubbock will be lucky to see an inch of snow on Saturday morning.
With that said, roads will still be slick because of the freezing rain. The snow will only help to make things more slick. So if you're traveling out Saturday morning, just please be careful and watch for other cars. You'll also want to avoid the loop, Marsha Sharp Freeway and I-27. I say that because bridges and overpasses are going to be very slick. This activity is going to exit Saturday afternoon. This is a quick hitter, which is why accumulations will not be too high at all.
This forecast is looking pretty much set at this time. Numerous models are agreeing on the timing and amounts of precipitation. The reason for the winter storm watch is for the mix of freezing rain and the light snow. Travel issues will be the big concern through noon on Saturday. Saturday afternoon will see highs in the upper 30s.
