Cold snap to bring ice, slick roads, bitter wind chills

Lubbock will quickly go from some warm weather to a wintry mix and much colder temperatures, starting late Friday and lasting through the weekend.

The skies should stay mostly clear through Thursday. It will stay warm for the time of year, so people will not need to wear gloves or heavy coats outside. We expect that window to close quickly.

It is going to get colder in the area by Friday, which could lead to snow, sleet, and freezing rain as moisture moves into West Texas. Forecasters say road conditions could get worse late Friday night, when temperatures drop quickly enough for bridges and overpasses to freeze.

During that time, traveling could be dangerous, especially since nighttime lows drop into the teens and even single digits in some places. Untreated roads could become slippery, increasing the risk of accidents and causing delays, officials said.

Over the weekend, high temperatures will likely struggle to get out of the teens, and winter rain or snow may stick around as the cold air settles in. Temperatures will feel even colder due to the wind chill, so being outside for just a few minutes will be dangerous.

Drivers and homeowners should be ready for tough starts, frozen parts, and higher heating needs during the cold snap. Layers of clothing, gloves, and quick trips outside might make it difficult to do simple things like running errands.

Authorities told drivers to closely watch the weather reports and stay home when it was freezing outside. Emergency managers also told people to prepare for the cold by keeping extra blankets and supplies on hand, keeping pets safe, and checking their heating systems.

Forecasters said that freezing rain, sleet, and bitter cold could bring conditions to the area not seen in a few winters. The exact amounts of snow that will fall are still unknown.

As trust in the timing and type of precipitation grows, the National Weather Service is likely to issue more advisories.

As the storm got closer, people were told to stay up-to-date on neighborhood alerts and official weather reports.