Hale

... Potential for wintry precipitation and much colder temperatures
Wednesday through early Thursday...

A winter storm will move over the South Plains Wednesday and
Wednesday evening. This system will initially spread light rain
showers into the region on Wednesday with the potential for sleet
or light snow over the extreme southwestern Panhandle and the
northwestern South Plains. The arrival of colder air by Wednesday
evening and overnight will allow any rain to change over to
snow... with the potential for several inches of snow in the
southern Panhandle and South Plains. Remaining areas may see
anywhere from a dusting up to an inch of snow before the storm
system exits the region Thursday morning. In the wake of this
storm... cold air and breezy north winds will continue to filter
into the region keeping highs only in the 30s and 40s on Thursday.
Wind chills by Thursday morning will range from the single digits
in the southern Panhandle to teens elsewhere.

Persons with Holiday travel plans should continue to monitor the
latest forecasts and plan accordingly for potentially adverse
Road conditions.

250 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2009

... Colder temperatures and a chance of wintry precipitation
Wednesday through early Thursday...

A winter storm will move over the Texas Panhandle Wednesday and
Wednesday evening. Although the South Plains will be on the
southern periphery of this storm... it will still bring a chance of
wintry precipitation to portions of the area. Light rain showers
will occasionally mix with sleet or light snow over the extreme
southwestern Panhandle and the northwestern South Plains Wednesday...
with prospects for a wintry mix or light snow increasing over much
of the area Wednesday night. Little to no accumulation is expected
for most locations... but a light dusting may approach one inch
over portions of the extreme southwestern Panhandle by late
Wednesday. In the wake of this storm... colder air will filter
across the South Plains... with highs only expected to climb into
the 30s and 40s on Thursday.

Given that many South Plains residents are planning Holiday travel
this week... it is noteworthy that a more significant winter storm
appears likely over portions of New Mexico and the panhandles...
with the potential for blizzard conditions over parts of Colorado
and Kansas.

Thus... those planning travel... especially toward the north into the
panhandles and Central Plains over the coming days should monitor
the latest forecasts and plan accordingly.