The High Plains Climate Is Dry, Windy, and Extreme

Lubbock County sits at roughly 3,000 to 3,400 feet in elevation on the Southern High Plains. The climate is semiarid. Average annual rainfall is about 18 to 19 inches. Summers are hot, with July highs averaging around 92 degrees. Winters bring cold with January lows averaging around 27 degrees.

The elevation and flat terrain mean strong winds year-round — dust storms (called 'blue northers') can reduce visibility dramatically in spring. These conditions affect how homes are built, what landscaping works, and how much you will spend on heating and cooling. The NWS Lubbock office is the best source for local climate data.