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Another round of intense wind, thick blowing dust and critical fire weather 18 March 2025 |
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Thick blowing dust, as seen from space, on Tuesday afternoon (18 March 2025). A close up of the South Plains region Tuesday afternoon can be VIEWED HERE., with a regional view HERE. |
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, brought another round of high winds, thick blowing dust and critical fire weather to West Texas and beyond. The driver of this round of wind and dust was another progressive and dynamic storm system emerging from the central and southern Rockies. |
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| Water vapor satellite loop valid from 1:56 pm to 3:41 pm on Tuesday (18 March 2025). | |
| Unlike the wind and dust event four days earlier, which started very early in the day, this storm system and its intense winds didn't overspread the High Plains until later in the day. The winds steadily increased through much of the day Tuesday, peaking during the evening and overnight hours. | |
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| Plots of wind speed (light blue line), wind gusts (dark blue dots) and wind direction (green) at the Lubbock Airport (LBB) spanning from Tuesday into Wednesday morning (18-19 March 2025). | |
| The Lubbock Airport measured a peak wind gust of 78 mph at 7:53 pm, with sustained wind speeds of 30 to 50 mph common through the entire evening. The winds finally backed off somewhat after midnight, but still remained sustained at 25 to 35 until around daybreak on Wednesday. The severe-caliber winds weren't limited to the Lubbock area, but impacted the entire region, from the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle through the South Plains and Rolling Plains, and beyond. | |
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| Peak wind gusts measured through 5:15 pm on Tuesday (18 March 2025). The data are courtesy of the West Texas Mesonet (WTM). | |
| The long-duration intense winds lifted copious amounts of blowing dust from northern Chihuahua, southern and eastern New Mexico, as well as West Texas, as can be seen in the satellite imagery below. | |
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| DEBRA (Dynamic Enhancement Background Reduction Algorithm) satellite loop valid from 6:37 pm to 6:48 pm on Tuesday (18 March 2025). The broad area of "yellow" is thick blowing dust. | |
| The thick dust dropped the visibility significantly, resulting in brownout conditions at times, and making travel difficult and dangerous. | |
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| View of the blowing dust from ground level Tuesday evening (18 March 2025). The image is courtesy of the West Texas Mesonet (WTM). | |
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The wind was accompanied by mild and dry conditions, which resulted in critical fire weather. These conditions fueled the development and spread of a wildfire in Plainview Tuesday evening. |
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| Fire that erupted in Plainview, near Quincy and West 4th Street, Tuesday evening (18 March 2025). The image is courtesy of Christella Urrutia via Jacob Riley. | |
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The wind and dust associated with this storm system wasn't confined to the southern High Plains. In fact, as the below satellite image illustrates, the dust was carried far off to the east and northeast, stretching from South and East Texas into the middle Mississippi River Valley and Midwest by the next morning (Wednesday, 19 March 2025). |
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| DEBRA (Dynamic Enhancement Background Reduction Algorithm) satellite image captured around 8 am on Wednesday (19 March 2025). The broad area of "yellow" is thick blowing dust stretching over much of the center of the country. | |
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A list of the preliminary wind and dust reports collected on this miserable day can be found below. |
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Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
1038 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0807 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Amherst 34.02N 102.40W
03/18/2025 M79 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet
0753 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Lubbock Int. Airp 33.67N 101.82W
03/18/2025 M78 MPH Lubbock TX ASOS
0809 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 W Lubbock 33.57N 101.94W
03/18/2025 M72 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0809 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Lubbock 33.57N 101.94W
03/18/2025 M72 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0831 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 W Levelland 33.58N 102.38W
03/18/2025 M72 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet
0720 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Muleshoe 34.21N 102.74W
03/18/2025 M69 MPH Bailey TX Mesonet
0738 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 S Levelland 33.53N 102.36W
03/18/2025 M69 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet
0857 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Wolfforth 33.42N 102.05W
03/18/2025 M69 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0857 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Wolfforth 33.42N 102.05W
03/18/2025 M69 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0734 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNE Shallowater 33.74N 101.97W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0812 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Olton 34.09N 102.12W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet
0824 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Plains 33.23N 102.84W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Yoakum TX Mesonet
0824 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Plains 33.23N 102.84W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Yoakum TX Mesonet
0836 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 E New Deal 33.73N 101.74W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0836 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst New Deal 33.73N 101.74W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0925 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Slaton 33.46N 101.62W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0927 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N ODonnell 32.98N 101.83W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet
0932 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Floydada 34.00N 101.33W
03/18/2025 M68 MPH Floyd TX Mesonet
0824 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 SW Sundown 33.39N 102.61W
03/18/2025 M67 MPH Cochran TX Mesonet
0828 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Plainview 34.18N 101.71W
03/18/2025 M67 MPH Hale TX Mesonet
0828 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Plainview 34.18N 101.71W
03/18/2025 M67 MPH Hale TX Mesonet
0910 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Brownfield 33.15N 102.27W
03/18/2025 M67 MPH Terry TX Mesonet
0645 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Reese Center 33.61N 102.05W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0822 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 WNW Denver City 32.99N 102.94W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Yoakum TX Mesonet
0846 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Lesley 34.65N 100.81W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Hall TX Mesonet
0846 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Lesley 34.65N 100.81W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Hall TX Mesonet
0854 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SE Ralls 33.67N 101.38W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Crosby TX Mesonet
0908 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SE Lubbock 33.54N 101.81W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0933 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNW Mcadoo 33.77N 101.04W
03/18/2025 M66 MPH Dickens TX Mesonet
0505 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Morton 33.73N 102.74W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH Cochran TX Mesonet
0756 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSW Anton 33.73N 102.19W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet
0856 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WNW Lubbock 33.60N 101.90W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
0903 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Roaring Springs 33.94N 100.85W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
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0903 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Roaring Springs 33.94N 100.85W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
0925 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Childress 34.46N 100.20W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH Childress TX Mesonet
1006 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 SE Guthrie 33.55N 100.21W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH King TX Mesonet
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1006 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Guthrie 33.55N 100.21W
03/18/2025 M65 MPH King TX Mesonet
0742 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 ENE Abernathy 33.88N 101.76W
03/18/2025 M64 MPH Hale TX Mesonet
0823 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 E Flomot 34.23N 100.96W
03/18/2025 M64 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
0831 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ESE Silverton 34.45N 101.19W
03/18/2025 M64 MPH Briscoe TX Mesonet
0933 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSW Graham 33.08N 101.52W
03/18/2025 M64 MPH Garza TX Mesonet
0558 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Friona 34.65N 102.69W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Parmer TX Mesonet
0558 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Friona 34.65N 102.69W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Parmer TX Mesonet
0831 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Smyer 33.59N 102.17W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Hockley TX Mesonet
0848 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NW White River Lake 33.53N 101.17W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Crosby TX Mesonet
0848 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst White River Lake 33.53N 101.17W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Crosby TX Mesonet
0849 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Northfield 34.27N 100.60W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
0849 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Northfield 34.27N 100.60W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
1014 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 WSW Guthrie 33.57N 100.48W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH King TX Mesonet
1035 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Jayton 33.23N 100.57W
03/18/2025 M63 MPH Kent TX Mesonet
0654 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Hart 34.42N 102.11W
03/18/2025 M62 MPH Castro TX Mesonet
0825 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Tulia 34.54N 101.74W
03/18/2025 M62 MPH Swisher TX Mesonet
0128 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSE Hackberry 33.90N 100.13W
03/19/2025 M62 MPH Cottle TX Mesonet
0532 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Caprock Canyons State P 34.41N 101.07W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Briscoe TX Mesonet
0532 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Caprock Canyons State P 34.41N 101.07W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Briscoe TX Mesonet
0808 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst New Home 33.33N 101.91W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet
0912 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SW Matador 33.99N 100.90W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
0912 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Matador 33.99N 100.90W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Motley TX Mesonet
0922 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 SW Paducah 33.89N 100.40W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Cottle TX Mesonet
0922 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Paducah 33.89N 100.40W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Cottle TX Mesonet
0929 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 W Spur 33.48N 100.88W
03/18/2025 M61 MPH Dickens TX Mesonet
1240 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Turkey 34.38N 100.93W
03/19/2025 M61 MPH Hall TX Mesonet
0104 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Lubbock Int. Airpor 33.67N 101.82W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Lubbock TX ASOS
ASOS station KLBB Lubbock.
0104 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Lubbock Int. Airpor 33.67N 101.82W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Lubbock TX ASOS
0626 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Dimmitt 34.57N 102.29W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Castro TX Mesonet
0853 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Post 33.20N 101.37W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Garza TX Mesonet
0855 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Lubbock 33.50N 101.88W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
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0904 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSE Estelline 34.50N 100.42W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Hall TX Mesonet
0919 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Lubbock 33.59N 101.78W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
1113 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Lake Alan Henry 33.08N 101.06W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Garza TX Mesonet
1113 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNW Lake Alan Henry 33.12N 101.08W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Garza TX Mesonet
1113 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Lake Alan Henry 33.08N 101.06W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Garza TX Mesonet
Lake Alan Henry 1NW Mesonet Gusted to 59.9
mph at 11:13PM.
1113 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Lake Alan Henry 1NW 33.08N 101.06W
03/18/2025 M60 MPH Garza TX Mesonet
0444 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SW Earth 34.19N 102.56W
03/18/2025 M59 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet
0444 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Earth 34.19N 102.56W
03/18/2025 M59 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet
0823 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNE Tahoka 33.21N 101.78W
03/18/2025 M59 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet
0829 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WSW Aiken 34.13N 101.57W
03/18/2025 M59 MPH Hale TX Mesonet
0847 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Memphis 34.73N 100.53W
03/18/2025 M59 MPH Hall TX Mesonet
0847 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Memphis 34.73N 100.53W
03/18/2025 M59 MPH Hall TX Mesonet
0925 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 W Childress 34.43N 100.28W
03/18/2025 E59 MPH Childress TX ASOS
0555 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Levelland 33.55N 102.37W
03/18/2025 M58 MPH Hockley TX AWOS
0813 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 E Happy 34.74N 101.84W
03/18/2025 M58 MPH Swisher TX Mesonet
0906 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Vigo Park 34.65N 101.50W
03/18/2025 M58 MPH Swisher TX Mesonet
0635 PM Dust Storm 1 WNW Denver City 32.97N 102.85W
03/18/2025 Yoakum TX AWOS
0635 PM Dust Storm 2 SSW Levelland 33.55N 102.37W
03/18/2025 Hockley TX AWOS
0700 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Friona 34.67N 102.72W
03/18/2025 Parmer TX CO-OP Observer
High winds today and last Friday severely
damaged the area winter wheat crop. Crop
will be plowed under.
0700 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Hart 34.37N 102.09W
03/18/2025 Castro TX CO-OP Observer
Dilapidated grain tower blown down. Time
estimated.
0949 PM Dust Storm 10 SW Paducah 33.89N 100.40W
03/18/2025 Cottle TX Mesonet
Co-op observer reported near zero
visibility.
0949 PM Dust Storm Paducah 33.89N 100.40W
03/18/2025 Cottle TX Mesonet
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