More Dust Storms For Amarillo & Texas Panhandle In 2014?
It wasn't pretty yesterday in Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. Brown skies, sketchy visibility, and enough dust in the air to force the hand of the National Weather Service to issue a dust storm warning. A warning that really isn't that common, but seems to be in 2014.
No dust storm warning in sight today, though the repeated high winds will make it possible for another milky sky. Our main concern today will be fire...
"ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS ACROSS THE OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS PANHANDLES DUE TO NORTH WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS ALONG WITH MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES OF 17 TO 20 PERCENT."
Yes, dry grass and high winds make the perfect setting for grass fires, so do be mindful. Smokers, keep your butts in the ashtray please.
More of this could be coming! The NWS says even though they don't usually issue dust storm warnings, a lot more have been issued this year, about 4 or 5 already.
“In late April and early May, you can have strong winds and a few more cold fronts,” Garcia said. “This isn’t quite as normal to have as much dust caused by droughty conditions.”
Several experts think this won’t turn into another Dust Bowl, but recent weather conditions have challenged their faith."
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