Updated Forecast Is Great News For Lufkin's Winter Weather Threat

Yesterday, I posted the latest update on the upcoming Winter Storm Watch and what we can expect for Deep East Texas. I made it clear that between Tuesday and Friday, the forecast would ebb and flow, sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better. The newest forecast (as of noon, 1/21), from the National Weather Service (NWS) has moved to the 'better' for the Lufkin area.

Comparing Yesterday's Forecast To The Latest Forecast

Yesterday's forecast from the NWS predicted that the low in the Lufkin/Nacogdoches area on Friday night would drop to the low 20s, and the high on Saturday would only reach 30. The current forecast shows a low on Friday dropping to between 27 and 30 degrees, with the high on Saturday ranging between 31 and 36 degrees. The colder temperatures would be in and around Nacogdoches.

If the Lufkin area could stay above freezing for most of the day on Saturday, that could be a huge game-changer. The brunt of the ice accumulations wouldn't start occurring until Saturday evening, and that's when the rain chances start to lessen. Even if this forecast holds, it DOES NOT mean that folks in the Lufkin/Nacogdoches area should let their guard down. Icy conditions are still a good bet on Saturday, especially later in the evening as the temperatures start falling towards the teens.

The Forecast Will Probably Change Several More Times

A few degrees of variance will make a big difference in how bad the winter weather gets this weekend in the Pineywoods. Right now, the pendulum has swung to slightly warmer temps on Friday and Saturday. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see several more changes in the official forecast over the next 24-36 hours. Regardless, the Winter Storm Watch for Angelina, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Rusk, and Cherokee Counties is still posted for Friday morning through Sunday at noon.

We will keep you updated.