AMS Central Section Meeting Weather

For the best information on what to expect concerning weather in Lubbock around the time of the conference, please check the link above slightly before the date of the conference. One should always keep in mind that conditions can change very rapidly and not always in accordance with the forecast, and can vary significantly over a very short distance.

Lubbock is located in the South Plains (also referred to as High Plains and as Llano Estacado) of west Texas, just south of the Panhandle. It is at an elevation of approximately 3240 feet (988 meters) above sea level in a region with very little variation in topography. However, just east of town is the edge of the Caprock with a drop off of several hundred feet. Lubbock generally has a semi-arid climate with an average of over 3500 hours of sunshine per year.

For the period of April 8 through 10 the average high temperature is 73^o F (23^o C) with the average low temperature 43^o F (6^o C). For this three day period the record high temperature is 94^o F (34^o C) and the record low temperature is 23^o F (-5^o C). Weather one season is not always indicative of similar weather the same season next year. However, for informational purposes, during April 2004 temperatures ranged from a low of 29^o F (-2^o C) to a high of 88^o F (31^o C). These maximum and minimum temperatures for the month occurred three days apart. There were three (3) days with a minimum temperature of 39^o F (4^o C) or less and fifteen (15) days with a minimum temperature between 40^o F (4 ^o C) and 49^o F (9^o C). There were eight (8) days with a maximum temperature of 80^o F (27^o C) or greater, and two (2) days with both a minimum temperature of 49^o F (9^o C) or less and a maximum temperature of 80^o F (27^o C) or greater. The greatest difference between minimum and maximum temperatures on a single day was 35^o F (19^o C). With the elevation and semi-arid climate, evenings in Lubbock can cool off quickly even if it has been warm in the afternoon.

Lubbock is in the western part of the Central time zone. Around the time of April 8 - 10 sunrise occurs shortly before 7:30 a.m. with sunset occurring around 8:15 p.m. Both sunrises and sunsets can occasionally be quite colorful.

Lubbock receives an average of 18.69 inches (47.5 cm) of precipitation per year, with an average of 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) occurring during April. This can vary significantly from one year to the next. During April 2004 there were eight (8) days with a trace of precipitation or greater and a total of 2.98 inches (7.57 cm) for the month. There was a total of only 8.83 inches (22.4 cm) of precipitation for the entire year of 2003, while there was a total of 33.25 inches (84.5 cm) for the year 2004. Though rain is not likely, occasions do occur of significant rainfall in a short period, with associated localized flooding of streets. Snow did not occur during April 2004, though Lubbock does occasionally receive snow during winter.

The South Plains is known for its wind, especially during the spring. During April 2004 every day had sustained winds during some period of the day of at least 15 miles per hour (24 kph) and there were only two days that did not have sustained winds during some period of 20 miles per hour (32 kph) or greater. There were eight (8) days with sustained winds of 30 miles per hour (48 kph) or greater including one day with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (64 kph), with occasional gusts up to 50 miles per hour (80 kph). The highest officially recorded gust druring April 2004 was 53 miles per hour (85 kph). Spring 2004 was windier than some springs which we have had. However, for almost any year, spring is the time most noted for wind.

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