Cotton farmers should prepare for cooler temps, chances of rain

RECORD HIGHS TODAY?

Cotton farmers have experienced a very warm and dry weather pattern for the past month or so. This pattern will be coming to an end in the coming days.

Before that happens, we can expect a very warm day today with possible record-high temperatures in the middle to upper 80s. Gusty southwest winds will keep the area warm and dry.

Today's record high is 85 degrees, set in 1994. It is breakable this afternoon. All of our computer models show highs above 85 with most of our models increasing the high temperature to 88 degrees today.

Today will be the last day with no precipitation in the forecast for several days to come.

RAIN CHANCES/COLDER WEDNESDAY

Models show storm chances Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night along with and ahead of a cold front. Models show potential for heavy rainfall, small hail and a low risk for a severe storm or two.

Once the front passes through the area tomorrow afternoon/evening, we can expect colder temperatures and lingering, non-severe rain showers through Thursday.

Rain chances may periodically impact the area through the weekend and next week. Temperatures will trend below normal for several days this week and continue throughout the upcoming weekend.

Latest forecast data is trending colder with some areas holding in the 50s for highs on Thursday. This will impact cotton farmers who have not harvested yet.

The next 24 hours look good for harvesting.  After that, rain chances and cooler weather will prevail through next week, making harvesting conditions unpredictable.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS?

Models show the potential for one to two inches of rain in a few areas from Wednesday evening through the weekend.

Lubbock could see that much rainfall over the course of the next few days.

It is not climatologically normal for such rainfall totals in November, but it is possible. This would not be good for most area cotton farmers.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES?

As of Tuesday morning, most of the computer models are keeping Lubbock above freezing through early next week.  There is a chance we could see a freeze at some point after the weekend, especially across the northwestern South Plains.  Uncertainty exists at the moment.

Overall, we are done with 80-degree high temperatures (for a while, at least) after we get through today and tomorrow.

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