For severe weather preparedness week, NewsWest 9 Meteorologist Aurora Murray takes a look at dust storms, the most common weather phenomena in West Texas.
The most common blowing dust events in West Texas occur in the spring months and are created from winds originating in the west. Dust storms are caused by very strong winds often produced by thunderstorms.
In dry regions, the winds can pull dust from the ground up into the air, creating a dust storm. Although dust storms may end after just a few minutes, dust can hang in the air and cause problems for days or even months afterward.
Cold fronts can also cause dust storms. Dust storms are created when these fronts sweep onto hot, arid surfaces. When cold fronts undercut warm air, the pressure gradient increases, and winds shift and become quite gusty -- as high as 50 to 100 miles per hour. These dust storms and their lingering effects can be hazardous for several reasons.
A dust storm's initial wall of dust and debris can arrive suddenly and can catch people by surprise. Dust storms can make it difficult to see when you're driving a car and can lead to car accidents.
Dust in the air can cause serious problems for airplanes as well. Dense dust can reduce visibility for pilots, causing delays and cancellations. Dust storms can also cause mechanical problems in airplanes. Breathing dusty air during a dust storm can cause health problems, especially for people with asthma.
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