NWS Lubbock, TX, December 15, 2003 Wind Event

Severe Thunderstorms Tonight in the Mid-Atlantic; Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf

Scattered thunderstorms with severe gusts, hail and a tornado risk are possible near a cold front from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic tonight. Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Gulf Coast from the panhandle of Florida into Louisiana through Wednesday. Read More >

High Winds and Blowing dust across the South Plains in mid-December

Visible satellite image at 1145 am on December 15, 2003

The above image is a visible satellite image from 1145 am December 15, 2003. High winds began across the western South Plains shortly after sunrise and moved into the city of Lubbock in earnest by noon. Visibilities across the region were as low as 1/4 mile. The strong winds were generated by an intense upper level storm system that passed over the Texas Panhandle. The winds picked up impressive amounts of soil from the open fields across the South Plains and eastern plains of New Mexico (as shown by the green arrows in the above image). Although not as apparent on the above satellite image, the winds also picked up material from White Sands, NM.

Below are some photos of the dust as it was affecting the south side of the city of Lubbock. The images to the right are photos taken about 24 hours later. Click on the image for a larger version.

Pictured below are the highest wind gusts (mph) observed by the West Texas Mesonet across the South Plains on December 15, 2003.

Graphical depiction of the strongest wind gusts observed on December 15, 2003.