Intense wind, critical fire weather, blowing dust & rain/snow blast West Texas (3-4 March 2025)

WFO Lubbock's Wind Reports for March 3rd, 2025

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary National Weather Service Lubbock TX 811 PM CST Mon Mar 3 2025 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0245 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SW Earth 34.19N 102.56W 03/03/2025 M60 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet Measured by the TTU mesonet. 0340 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Friona 34.66N 102.70W 03/03/2025 M61 MPH Parmer TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report. 0446 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Muleshoe 34.20N 102.74W 03/03/2025 M59 MPH Bailey TX Mesonet West TX mesonet report. 0520 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Muleshoe 34.20N 102.74W 03/03/2025 M64 MPH Bailey TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report. 0530 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Friona 34.66N 102.70W 03/03/2025 M67 MPH Parmer TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report. 0544 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 WSW Earth 34.18N 102.55W 03/03/2025 M67 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report. 0554 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Dimmitt 34.57N 102.29W 03/03/2025 M61 MPH Castro TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report. 0606 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Amherst 34.02N 102.40W 03/03/2025 M62 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report. 0616 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Hart 34.43N 102.11W 03/03/2025 M65 MPH Castro TX Mesonet West Texas Mesonet report.

WFO Lubbock's Wind Reports from March 4th, 2025

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary National Weather Service Lubbock TX 650 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0716 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Reese Center 33.61N 102.05W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet 0753 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Lubbock Int. Airp 33.67N 101.82W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Lubbock TX ASOS 0809 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 E New Deal 33.73N 101.74W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet 0809 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 S Levelland 33.53N 102.36W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet 0812 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 S Levelland 33.53N 102.36W 03/04/2025 M64 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet 0824 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Lubbock Int. Airp 33.67N 101.82W 03/04/2025 M69 MPH Lubbock TX ASOS Peak wind gust measured by the ASOS through 10 AM. Severe-caliber gusts started at 7:45 AM. 0828 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WNW Lubbock 33.60N 101.90W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet 0830 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Lubbock 33.57N 101.83W 03/04/2025 Lubbock TX Fire Dept/Rescue Tree fell over on carport. 0831 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 E New Deal 33.73N 101.74W 03/04/2025 M60 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet 0832 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SE Lubbock 33.54N 101.81W 03/04/2025 E58 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet Measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0837 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Plains 33.23N 102.84W 03/04/2025 M62 MPH Yoakum TX Mesonet 0845 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SE Ralls 33.67N 101.38W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Crosby TX Mesonet 0855 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NW White River Lake 33.53N 101.17W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Crosby TX Mesonet 0856 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Post 33.20N 101.37W 03/04/2025 E59 MPH Garza TX Mesonet 0859 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNW Mcadoo 33.77N 101.04W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Dickens TX Mesonet 0912 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 W Spur 33.48N 100.88W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Dickens TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0921 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNE Tahoka 33.21N 101.78W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0929 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N O`Donnell 32.98N 101.83W 03/04/2025 M67 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 9:35 AM. Severe-caliber gusts started at 9:27 AM. 0930 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Wolfforth 33.42N 102.05W 03/04/2025 M64 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet Measured by the West Texas Mesonet. Additional severe-caliber gusts started at 8:32 AM. 0931 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Lake Alan Henry 33.08N 101.06W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Garza TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0935 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Slaton 33.46N 101.62W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 9:40 AM. Initial severe-caliber gusts started at 9:26 AM. 0942 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 WNW Denver City 32.99N 102.94W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Yoakum TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0943 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Roaring Springs 33.94N 100.85W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Motley TX Mesonet Measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0946 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Brownfield 33.15N 102.27W 03/04/2025 M64 MPH Terry TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 9:50 AM. Severe-caliber gusts started at 9:31 AM. 0947 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst New Home 33.33N 101.91W 03/04/2025 M62 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0959 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSW Graham 33.08N 101.52W 03/04/2025 M74 MPH Garza TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet site through 10 AM. Severe-caliber gusts started at 9:05 AM. 1003 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NE Aspermont 33.17N 100.20W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Stonewall TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1059 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Memphis 34.73N 100.53W 03/04/2025 M60 MPH Hall TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1125 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Floydada 34.00N 101.33W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Floyd TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 11:35 am. 1130 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SW Lubbock 33.55N 101.90W 03/04/2025 Lubbock TX Public Large tree down via social media. 1131 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 E Wolfforth 33.53N 101.92W 03/04/2025 Lubbock TX Public Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 5 E Wolfforth. Report from mPING: Trees uprooted or snapped; Roof blown off. 1136 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Morton 33.73N 102.74W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Cochran TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1140 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 SE Guthrie 33.55N 100.21W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH King TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1140 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ESE Silverton 34.45N 101.19W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Briscoe TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 11:40 am. Severe-caliber gusts started at 11:10 AM. 1142 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SW Matador 33.99N 100.90W 03/04/2025 M58 MPH Motley TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1145 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 ENE Abernathy 33.88N 101.76W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Hale TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1154 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Friona 34.65N 102.69W 03/04/2025 M60 MPH Parmer TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1212 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 W Childress 34.43N 100.28W 03/04/2025 M74 MPH Childress TX ASOS Peak wind gust measured by the ASOS through 12:30 PM. 1225 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Childress 34.46N 100.20W 03/04/2025 M60 MPH Childress TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 1233 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Northfield 34.27N 100.60W 03/04/2025 M68 MPH Motley TX Mesonet Peak gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 12:35 PM. 1246 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Jayton 33.23N 100.57W 03/04/2025 M70 MPH Kent TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 2 PM. Severe-caliber gusts began at 9:26 AM. 1256 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 WSW Guthrie 33.57N 100.48W 03/04/2025 M73 MPH King TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 1:55 PM. Severe-caliber gusts began at 10:10 AM. 1259 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 SW Paducah 33.89N 100.40W 03/04/2025 M70 MPH Cottle TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 2 PM. Severe-caliber gusts began at 10:04 AM. 1259 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NW White River Lake 33.53N 101.17W 03/04/2025 M78 MPH Crosby TX Mesonet Peak wind gust report by the West Texas Mesonet through 1:10 PM. Severe-caliber gusts started at 8:55 AM. 0111 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSW Anton 33.73N 102.19W 03/04/2025 M62 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0125 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSE Hackberry 33.90N 100.13W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Cottle TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 1:40 PM. Severe-caliber gusts began at 1:22 PM. 0134 PM Dust Storm 7 NW Grow 33.88N 100.38W 03/04/2025 Cottle TX CO-OP Observer Zero visibility in blowing dust and sand. Car stuck in ditch. 0137 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Hart 34.42N 102.11W 03/04/2025 M60 MPH Castro TX Mesonet Peak wind gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet through 1:40 PM. Severe-caliber gusts began at 1:35 PM. 0140 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Dickens 33.62N 100.83W 03/04/2025 Dickens TX Public Roof blown off house. 0147 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Tulia 34.54N 101.74W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Swisher TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0230 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Amherst 34.02N 102.40W 03/04/2025 M59 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet. 0250 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Vigo Park 34.65N 101.50W 03/04/2025 M61 MPH Swisher TX Mesonet Initial severe gust measured by the West Texas Mesonet.

Intense wind, critical fire weather, blowing dust & rain/snow blast West Texas 2-4 March 2025

Uprooted tree in Lubbock Tuesday morning (4 March 2025). The picture is courtesy of EricWTxWX on X.

Mother Nature sure received the memo that the calendar had turned to March, as it roared in like a lion. To be fair, the first day of March was quite pleasant, with light winds and temperatures in the middle to upper 70s. However, that changed by the second day of the month, as a small but potent storm system emerged from Desert Southwest and tracked across the southern Texas Panhandle.


"RGB-True Color" satellite loop valid from 10:56 am to 4:46 pm on Sunday (2 March 2025). Lightning data (GLM), as sensed from satellite, is also plotted on top of the clouds.

Gulf moisture was not abundant, but when coupled with the strong lift immediately ahead of the system, it was able to generate a broken line of showers and thunderstorms across the northeast South Plains Sunday morning (2 March). This line advanced quickly eastward, and was followed by scattered thunderstorms over this same general area Sunday afternoon. In fact, there was enough instability to allow a few of the storms to become strong to severe. One of the more intense storms dropped around a half inch of rain, while covering the ground with hail, mostly pea to marble size, in and around Kirkland.


Lubbock WSR-88D radar animation valid from 7:45 am to 1:42 pm on Sunday (2 March 2025). 24-hour rainfall, ending at 7:30 pm on the 2nd, can be VIEWED HERE and HERE.

South of the track of the upper low, the main impact was the wind, which really ramped up over the central and southern South Plains into the Rolling Plains. Wind gusts of 40 to 50+ mph were common Sunday afternoon, which even kicked up a little dust


Peak wind gusts measured on Sunday (2 March 2025). The data are courtesy of the West Texas Mesonet (WTM).

This first round of wind served as foreshadowing to a more significant storm system following quickly on the heels of Sunday's. After a brief reprieve Sunday night into Monday morning, the much larger and more intense mid-upper level system began to emerge from the Intermountain West.


Water vapor satellite loop valid from 1:06 pm to 6:56 pm on Monday (3 March 2025).

Despite considerable cloud cover, winds gradually increased through Monday afternoon, particularly across the western Texas Panhandle and western South Plains, where wind gusts of 55 to 65+ mph were common.


"RGB-True Color" satellite loop valid from 12:01 pm to 5:56 pm on Monday (3 March 2025).

The intense wind lofted copious amounts of blowing dust, primarily originating from northern Mexico, Far West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. This dust was carried over the TX/NM line, dropping the visibility to a few miles or lower late Monday afternoon into Monday evening.


Peak wind gusts measured on Monday (3 March 2025). The data are courtesy of the West Texas Mesonet (WTM).

Conditions improved somewhat overnight, though the winds remained solidly breezy to low-end windy through the night. Conditions took a turn for the worse toward daybreak Tuesday (4 March) as the dynamic storm system emerged over the High Plains. Winds increased quickly, jumping to 45 to 55+ mph around daybreak, then ventured even higher through the morning and into the early-midafternoon hours.


National Watch, Warning and Advisory map valid Tuesday afternoon (4 March 2025).

Impacts from this weather system were not only felt locally, but encompassed most of the center of the nation, as the above graphic depicts. Intense winds were experienced from much of the High Plains all the way into the Carolinas. The system even sparked severe thunderstorms from eastern Oklahoma and East Texas into the southern Mississippi River Valley, including several tornadoes. Farther north, where temperatures were colder, a blizzard unfolded over portions of the Upper Midwest into the western Great Lakes.


"RGB-True Color" satellite loop valid from 9:41 am to 1:21 pm on Tuesday (4 March 2025).

The initial round of intense winds, as high as 55 to 65 mph, were along and immediately in advance of a band of precipitation racing southeastward from the western Texas Panhandle into the northern and central South Plains. Where temperatures were coolest, a burst of snow impacted locations in and around Friona, Dimmitt and Hart. Even though temperatures remained just above freezing, a coating of snow quickly covered grassy spots, though it didn't hang around long.


Lubbock WSR-88D radar animation valid from 6:36 am to 9:19 am on Tuesday (4 March 2025). An additional radar animation, valid from 4:19 pm on the 3rd to 7:07 am on the 4th, can be VIEWED HERE.

Farther south and east, temperatures remained mild enough for mostly a cold rain. In addition to the welcome, albeit limited, moisture, the precipitation did manage to clear much of the dust from the sky, despite the strong winds.


(left) Snow falling in Friona early Tuesday morning (4 March 2025). The picture is courtesy of Pantex. (right) Snow coating the ground and solar panels in Dimmitt Tuesday morning (4 March 2025). The image is courtesy of Russell Stringfield.

Rain (and melted snow) totals were on the light side, ranging from a few hundredths of an inch over the central South Plains to around a third of an inch across the south-central Texas Panhandle.


24-hour precipitation, ending at 7 am on Wednesday, 5 March 2025. The data are courtesy of the West Texas Mesonet (WTM). A close up view of the Lubbock area can be FOUND HERE.

Unfortunately, as the winds persisted and then increased again, dust returned to much of the region Tuesday afternoon as the precipitation dwindled. Wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph were common over the entire area, with several gusts in excess of 70 mph measured in the Rolling Plains and eastern Texas Panhandle. A peak gust of 78 mph was measured by the West Texas Mesonet site near White River Lake.


Peak wind gusts measured on Tuesday (4 March 2025). The data are courtesy of the West Texas Mesonet (WTM). The maximum sustained wind speeds measured on Tuesday can be ACCESSED HERE.

The intense winds did cause some damage, including downing trees and power lines, as well as causing roof damage in Dickens (and likely other spots). Thick blowing dust also contributed to a vehicle running into the ditch south of Paducah. The one positive was that the limited precipitation boosted low-level moisture levels and helped suppress the overall fire threat locally, mitigating the overall fire danger. Much farther south, over parts of Central and South Texas, where it was much warmer and drier, they were not so lucky, as the conditions supported numerous wildfires.


Blowing dust affecting travel west of Brownfield Tuesday afternoon (4 March 2025). The picture is courtesy of Jim Tucker

The winds finally eased in earnest Tuesday evening as the sun set, vertical mixing decreased and the storm system responsible for powerful winds began to shift to the east of the region. A list of the preliminary storm reports collected over this unpleasant stretch of weather can be found below.