FXUS64 KMAF 210434

AFDMAF



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX

1134 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



...New AVIATION...



.KEY MESSAGES...

Updated at 1133 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



- Near to record-breaking high temperatures through Sunday.



- A cold front sweeps through the region Sunday night/Monday

  morning, bringing a brief cool down on Monday before another

  warm up by the middle of next week.



- Elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions expected this

  weekend, particularly on Sunday.



&&



.SHORT TERM...

(This afternoon through Saturday night)

Issued at 130 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



A potent upper-level ridge centered over the Desert Southwest is 

evident on water vapor satellite imagery this afternoon. Because of 

this ridge, unseasonably warm temperatures dominate the Short Term 

period. Highs in the mid-to-upper 90s are forecast for both today 

and Saturday across west Texas and southeast New Mexico, with some 

locations (particularly along the Rio Grande) approaching 100. 

Overnight lows both tonight and Saturday night only fall into the 

50s and low 60s areawide. We are still anticipating a couple of 

records to fall or else be tied this weekend at KMAF. The forecasted 

high at KMAF for today is 96 degrees and for tomorrow is 98 degrees. 

The current record for March 20th is 94 degrees, and the current 

record for the 21st is 96. All that to say, the record highs for 

both today and tomorrow at MAF are well-within reach! Otherwise, 

very dry conditions persist today and Saturday, though winds remain 

relatively light. 



Sprang



&&



.LONG TERM...

(Sunday through Thursday)

Issued at 130 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



The long term period begins with another record high setting day due 

to southwesterly downslope flow, low-level thermal ridging, and 

persistent upper-level ridging. Lee troughing is expected to 

increase winds, bringing near-critical fire weather conditions (also 

thanks to very low minimum relative humidity values and record heat) 

across the eastern Permian Basin and Lower Trans-Pecos region Sunday 

afternoon. A brief cool down is forecast on Monday as a cold front 

sweeps through the area Sunday night into early Monday morning. This 

yields afternoon highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s for most on 

Monday, with 90s along the Rio Grande. Winds will also become a bit 

breezy behind the front, with sustained winds of 10-20 mph expected 

(stronger in the higher terrain and mainly in the morning). By 

Tuesday, the upper-level ridge begins to build eastward, bringing 

additional chances of record high temperatures next week. Guidance 

shows the ridge becoming centered over the region by Thursday, 

increasing temperatures even more. Overnight lows in the 50s and 60s 

for most are forecast each night and dry conditions persist through 

the end of the period. 

  

Greening



&&



.AVIATION...

(06Z TAFS)

Issued at 1133 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



VFR/CAVU conditions will prevail next 24 hours under upper-level

ridging. Surface winds will be light/variable, but generally out

of the south.



&&



.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Big Spring               97  56  98  61 /   0   0   0   0 

Carlsbad                 96  53  98  56 /   0   0   0   0 

Dryden                   95  56  98  57 /   0   0   0   0 

Fort Stockton            97  62  98  65 /   0   0   0   0 

Guadalupe Pass           87  60  88  61 /   0   0   0   0 

Hobbs                    94  53  96  54 /   0   0   0   0 

Marfa                    89  46  90  45 /   0   0   0   0 

Midland Intl Airport     96  58  97  60 /   0   0   0   0 

Odessa                   95  58  96  60 /   0   0   0   0 

Wink                     96  53  98  54 /   0   0   0   0 



&&



.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

TX...None.

NM...None.

&&



$$



SHORT TERM...13

LONG TERM....55

AVIATION...99