Video and Photos from Texas Dust Storm
The winds are whipping through Lubbock, Tex. with dust swirling through the air.
"The dust storm just gave us a preview of West Texas during a nuclear winter," a dust storm witness Will McKay tweeted.
Around 6:30 pm local time, winds were sustained at 39 mph, but gusting to 64 mph. At that time, there had been no damage reports by the National Weather Service.
Video by Sonny Patten
What caused the dust storm? It's "partly because they're in that terrible drought," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Frank Strait said.
"When you have winds blowing over 60 mph in Lubbock, like they have been, it makes you prone to dust storms. When the soil gets really dry, this year is an extreme example of it, you start getting blowing dust out there. You can kick up quite a bit of dust and lower the visibility. It can make everything dirty too, ha, which is no fun."
The strong winds also downed numerous power lines in Lubbock, while causing damage to an airport hanger and the roof of a fire department nearby.
"dust storm of the century. #lubbockproblems," Twitter user kmagier said.
"In case you've never seen a Panhandle/South Plains dust storm... #crazy" Nicole Guthrie tweeted.
"Have to shower after being outside in this tornado of dust! #sandyteeth," dust storm witness Tracey Clem tweeted.
"Take cover! Dust storm!" Carrie Skinner tweeted.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 89° | Harlingen, TX |
| Low | 5° | Chama, NM |
| Precip | 2.56" | Stampede Pass, WA |
WeatherWhys®
Avalanches are caused by a number of factors. Thick layers of snow and ice of varying intensity along a mountainside are weakened by the force of gravity and changing weather conditions. At some point, this large mass of snow is released down the mountain in a form of an avalanche.
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