Jan. 7—Dangerously low temperatures are heading to the Permian Basin late Wednesday into Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Midland, Wednesday morning will start off around 22 degrees in the Odessa-Midland area. The forecast calls for winds of 10 to 15 mph.
Meteorologist Taylor Sprang said the winds could drop wind chill values to below 10 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory, especially in the Guadalupe Mountains area where they could see wind chill values of -5 or -10 Wednesday. It will warm up to the mid-30s across the area.
Snow chances have varied. Currently, Sprang said Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico will have a chance for snow Wednesday morning and those will start making their way into the Permian Basin by late Wednesday or early Thursday before clearing out Friday.
Snow chances, along with snow amounts, have been decreasing in the last 24 hours, Sprang said Tuesday. There may be a quarter-inch of snow in the Odessa-Midland area.
The area could see sleet or potentially freezing rain — more of a wintry mix “than straight-up snow,” Sprang said.
This could make for an ice or a glaze on the roads making the morning commute hazardous.
The cold weather is coming from a large upper-level disturbance to the west-southwest. It will slowly migrate to this area in the next 24 to 48 hours, Sprang said.
There are a lot of variations on where the disturbance will set up and that will influence where the greatest precipitation chances are and where the greatest precipitation will fall.
If there is ice on the roads, he said, you definitely want to limit travel if you can. If you have to drive, drive carefully and mind the fact that the roads are going to be slippery.
A City of Odessa news release said warming shelters will be open around Odessa.
Salvation Army of Odessa, 810 E. 10th St. Warming shelter is active when the temperature is below 32 degrees. Overnight shelter is open for intake from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Jesus House, 1335 E. Sixth St. Hot meals served Tuesday-Thursday. Breakfast 6 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m. to noon.
Free blankets and coats available for those in need.
Follow Jesus House Odessa on social media for any changes.
Connection Christian Church of Odessa, 4241 Tanglewood Lane. Warming shelter open Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The City of Odessa also wants to remind people of the 3 P’s: people, pets and pipes.
— People: Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly or those without reliable heating.
— Pets: Bring your pets indoors and ensure they have warm shelter.
— Pipes: protect your pipes by insulating them, letting faucets drip and opening cabinets to allow warm air to circulate.
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