Honestly, if you've spent more than five minutes in West Texas, you know the drill. The sky is huge, the wind is a permanent roommate, and the weather forecast for Lubbock is basically a daily roll of the dice. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a perfect example of that high-plains moodiness.
We are looking at a high of 63°F today. Sounds like light jacket weather, right? Well, sure, until you realize the low is bottoming out at 24°F. That is a nearly 40-degree swing. If you aren't layering, you're doing it wrong.
Why the weather forecast for Lubbock is so wild right now
West Texas doesn't do "gradual." We're sitting up here on the Llano Estacado, which is basically a giant, flat table. There are no trees or mountains to stop the wind from screaming across the caprock.
Currently, as of 6:00 AM, it is a crisp 25°F outside. But with a west wind blowing at 12 mph, the "feels like" temperature is actually 14°F. That’s the kind of cold that bites your face the second you walk out the door to start your truck.
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The Breakdown for Sunday, January 18
The daytime is going to be beautiful and sunny. With that high of 63°F and a UV index of 3, it’s actually going to feel pretty decent if you can find a spot out of the wind.
- Morning: Freezing. Clear skies but hovering in the mid-20s.
- Afternoon: Peak warmth hitting 63°F.
- Evening: Clouds start rolling in. It'll be "mostly cloudy" by tonight.
- The Humidity Factor: It’s dry. Like, 22% humidity dry. Keep the lip balm handy.
What's coming later this week
Don't get too comfortable with that 60-degree sun. Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, things take a bit of a dive. We're looking at a high of only 43°F. That is a 20-degree drop in the daytime high from Sunday to Monday.
Basically, the wind is shifting. We've got an east wind coming in tomorrow at about 16 mph. In Lubbock, an east wind usually means more clouds and a much rawer feel to the air.
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Mid-week Outlook
Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan 20-21) see a slight recovery. We’ll be back in the 50s.
Tuesday: High of 53°F, Low of 19°F.
Wednesday: High of 55°F, Low of 25°F.
It’s typical January stuff for us. The National Weather Service records show that January is historically our coldest month, averaging a high of 56°F and a low of 27°F. So, we are right in the thick of it.
The Wind: Lubbock’s Permanent Guest
People talk about the rain or the snow, but in Lubbock, it’s always about the wind. Today we’ve got a steady 12 mph out of the west. That’s actually "calm" by our standards.
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When the wind hits 15-20 mph, that’s when the dust starts to lift. You’ve seen those photos where the sky turns orange? That’s not a filter; that’s just the topsoil from the surrounding cotton fields saying hello.
Actionable Steps for the Next 24 Hours
If you’re heading out today or tomorrow, here is the move.
- The 3-Layer Rule: Start with a base, add a sweater, and keep a wind-resistant shell in the car. You will need all three before 9:00 AM and probably just the base by 3:00 PM.
- Hydrate everything: Between the 22% humidity and the constant wind, your skin and eyes are going to feel it.
- Check your tires: Big temperature swings like this (from 63°F down to 24°F) play havoc with tire pressure. If your "low tire" light comes on tomorrow morning, that's why.
- Cover the plants: We are hitting 19°F on Monday night. If you’ve got anything sensitive left outside, bring it in or cover it up.
The weather forecast for Lubbock is never just a number; it's a suggestion that changes by the hour. Stay ahead of the wind and keep those layers ready.