National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce
Click a location below for detailed forecast.

Last Map Update: Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 6:20:16 pm CDT

A Rangeland Fire Danger Statement is in effect for much of the area today with breezy SW winds and low humidity.
Chilly temperatures and light winds are expected tonight, with a clear sky.
Unseasonably warm to even hot weather will be figuratively knocking on our doorstep by the end of the week and into the weekend. Near-record high temperatures are forecast Thursday through Saturday.
Very warm to even hot temperatures are forecast Thursday through Saturday, with triple-digit temperatures possible in the Rolling Plains by the end of the week. Know the signs of heat illness!

 

 

 

Local Weather History For March 17th...
1979 (17th-18th): Early this evening and overnight, a regional outbreak of severe storms with a few tornadoes struck from
the southern South Plains north into the Texas Panhandle. From 4:12 PM until 3:10 AM, at least eight tornadoes touched
down; most during the nighttime. Perhaps the most significant tornado occurred in Crosby County around 12:45 AM. Storm
spotters observed a medium-sized tornado develop just southwest of Crosbyton before lifting temporarily while passing over
the city. However, the tornado quickly touched down again just north of the city where it damaged a house and injured two
people. Continuing northeast, this tornado destroyed two houses and damaged FFA barns and outbuildings. Total damage from
this tornado amounted to $100,000. Earlier in the night, a hailstorm with stones up to golf ball size caused damage to
windows and buildings mainly near the South Loop of Lubbock. This same hailstorm later spawned a small tornado shortly
after midnight on the northeast side of Lubbock before disappearing just south of the airport. Damage was reported over
several square blocks including three homes and one large business that were severely damaged. No injuries occurred with
this tornado. Other locations that reported tornadoes during this outbreak included Silverton, Abernathy, Plainview, and
Matador. No damage occurred with these latter tornadoes as they remained over open country.