You’ve probably been enjoying that weirdly warm West Texas sun lately. Honestly, it’s felt more like late spring than January in the Permian Basin. But if you’re living in or traveling through the area, don’t let the 60-degree afternoons fool you. The latest forecast for Midland Texas shows a massive shift on the horizon that’s going to catch a lot of people off guard.
We’re talking about a classic blue norther.
Right now, the current conditions in Midland are sitting at a comfortable 57°F. It’s a clear night, the kind where you can actually see the stars despite the city lights. Winds are coming out of the southwest at about 14 mph, keeping things mild. But that southwest wind is basically the "calm before the storm."
The Immediate Outlook: Enjoy It While It Lasts
Today, Thursday, January 15, we hit a high of 67°F. That’s nearly 10 degrees above the historical January average for this region. If you spent time at Hogan Park or just ran errands near the loop, you probably didn't even need a heavy jacket.
Tonight will stay clear with a low of 37°F. But Friday is where the "real" winter starts to leak back in.
👉 See also: New Zealand New Flags: What Really Happened with the Referendum
Tomorrow, the high drops to 53°F. That’s a 14-degree fall in just 24 hours. The winds are shifting too. Instead of that warm breeze from the southwest, we’re looking at 21 mph gusts screaming in from the northeast. It’s going to feel a lot colder than the thermometer says, especially with the humidity dropping down to 33%.
The Hard Freeze Is Coming
Here is the part people usually get wrong about West Texas weather. They think "sunny" means "warm." Not this weekend.
Saturday, January 17, is going to be a reality check. The high is only forecasted to reach 44°F. That is a brutal afternoon for a town that was just pushing 70 earlier in the week. By Saturday night, the temperature is expected to bottom out at 27°F.
📖 Related: Father of Georgia school shooting suspect arrested: What the Colin Gray case means for parents
Why does 27°F matter?
Anything below 28°F for more than a couple of hours is considered a "hard freeze." According to Ryan Shoptaugh and local meteorologists, this is the threshold where exposed pipes start to burst. If you haven't wrapped your outdoor faucets or checked the insulation on your water lines, Friday night is your last real window to get it done.
The 10-Day Breakdown (Simplified)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Still freezing in the morning (27°F), but we bounce back to 59°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Mostly cloudy. High of 54°F, low of 30°F.
- The Mid-Week Rebound: By Wednesday, we’re back in the 60s.
Basically, it's a roller coaster. You’ll be wearing a parka at 7:00 AM and short sleeves by 3:00 PM. That’s just life in Midland.
What This Means for Your Commute and Home
West Texas drivers know that wind is often a bigger deal than rain. With the northeast winds hitting 20+ mph on Friday, high-profile vehicles on I-20 are going to feel it. There’s no significant rain in the cards—0% chance through the weekend—so you don't have to worry about black ice yet.
However, the dryness is a double-edged sword.
💡 You might also like: Multiple-Car Accident on 695 Today: What Really Happened
The humidity is hovering between 30% and 40%. When it’s that dry and the wind kicks up, fire risk goes up. Even though it’s cold, the dormant winter grass is like tinder. Also, for the gardeners out there, this weekend will likely kill off any sensitive outdoor plants you haven't brought inside.
Actionable Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Don't wait until the sun goes down on Friday to prep. West Texas weather moves fast, and once that arctic air settles in, it's miserable to be outside working.
First, check your irrigation system. Turn it off. You don't want your sprinklers creating an ice rink on your sidewalk or freezing up the valves. Second, bring in the pets. A 27°F low with a biting wind is dangerous for animals left outside.
Lastly, if you're driving between Midland and Odessa or heading up toward Andrews, keep a literal grip on the steering wheel. Those northeast gusts on Friday will be sudden. The forecast for Midland Texas is clear: winter isn't done with us yet.
Stay warm and keep an eye on the wind speeds. The temperature tells part of the story, but in the Basin, the wind tells the rest.