LUBBOCK, TX (KLBK)–KLBK Chief Meteorologist Jacob Riley has your Friday evening severe weather update for May 23, 2025.
Strong to severe storms are expected to develop across the KLBK viewing area on our Friday afternoon, lasting into the early overnight hours. While not everyone will see severe storms, let alone rainfall, some could see damaging wind gusts and large hail.
A level 2 out of 5 slight risk for severe storms has been issued for the eastern half of the KLBK forecast area. This includes the cities of Silverton, Turkey, Childress, Lockney, Floydada, Matador, Roaring Springs, Paducah, Lorenzo, Petersburg, Idalou, Ralls, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Crosbyton, Spur, Dickens, Afton, Kalgary, White River Lake, Guthrie, Post, Lake Alan Henry, Jayton, Clairemont, Gail, Snyder, Fluvanna, and Hermleigh. A level 1 out of 5 marginal risk includes the cities of Dimmitt, Happy, Kress, Tulia, Muleshoe, Bula, Littlefield, Springlake, Earth, Olton, Plainview, Hale Center, Morton, Whiteface, Sundown, Smyer, Levelland, Lums Chapel, Whitharral, Anton, Shallowater, Lubbock, Wolfforth, New Deal, New Home, Tatum, Lovington, Hobbs, Plains, Denver City, Seagraves, Seminole, Tokio, Brownfield, Loop, Lamesa, O’Donnell, and Tahoka. Severe storms are most likely within the level 2/5 slight risk, but will remain possible in both the level 1 and 2 risk areas. However, not everyone will see severe weather, let alone rain. Those that do see some could also see some locally heavy rainfall.
The primary concern with any storms that develops will be damaging hail up to golf ball sized (1.75″ in diameter) and wind gusts as high as 70 MPH. Isolated tornadoes do not appear to be supported by our atmospheric setup today. Flash flooding is also not likely. However, some of the strongest storms this evening and overnight could produce locally heavy rainfall. Again, not everyone will see severe weather. However, the strongest storms that do develop through the rest of the day will be capable of producing the aforementioned threats.
Here are two forecast model runs of the thunderstorms beginning around the 4-6 PM CDT time frame on Friday afternoon. These storms will linger through the late night, early morning hours of Saturday across the South Plains and the Rolling Plains. Keep in mind, this is a forecast model and the radar may not look exactly as the model depicts it. Notice how these storms are expected to remain rather isolated to scattered in nature. Scattered showers and storms will develop for some, but not everyone will get in on the action. Once again, not everyone will see rainfall, let alone severe weather.
When it comes to storm arrival times, activity looks to begin to develop over southwestern areas as soon as the 4-6 PM time frame. This activity will push east around 10-20 MPH. Storms will push into the Interstate 27/Highway 87 corridor around the 6 PM hour, before moving off the Caprock close to 8 PM. Our severe weather threat should be mostly finished by 10 PM CDT. Again, these are the expected arrival times for storms. Storms could linger for some areas outside of the timeframes listed below. Also, not everyone will see severe weather, let alone rainfall.
As always, you can stay up to date with the latest information on Facebook, X, or on our website at everythinglubbock.com/klbk-weather/. If you don’t have it yet, make sure to download our new and improved EverythingLubbock Weather app. It is free in both the Google Play and Apple App stores. The EverythingLubbock Weather app is a great tool to have during severe weather…