STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — AccuWeather.com — Whipping winds will threaten more dust storms and fires across Texas through the middle of this week.
Gusts greater than 40 mph across much of Texas will follow a potent cold front, keeping the threat high for these dangers. The howling winds will help pick up dust due to the bone-dry conditions gripping the Lone Star state.
Respiratory problems can result from blowing dust, especially for sensitive groups such as people with asthma.
Blowing dust could suddenly reduce the visibility below a quarter of a mile to near zero at times, creating a very dangerous situation for motorists.
Pictures and videos from the Lubbock Dust Storm on Monday show how significantly and quickly the visibility can drop in these nasty dust storms.
Meanwhile, travel will be tricky at times even without blowing dust for high profile vehicles such as campers and semi-trucks. The highest wind gusts could topple these vehicles.
With low humidity and high winds, the conditions will be ripe for wildfires through the middle of the week. Hard hit central Texas, burnt by destructive wildfires such as the Bastrop Fire, is in the heart of the fire threat area.
Winds will be strong enough to down tree branches onto power lines, heightening the risk of grass and brush fires.
By Meghan Evans, meteorologist for AccuWeather.com
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