Local News

Watch As Giant West Texas Dust Storm Makes Its Way Into Midland

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Tony Maples Photography

 

On Saturday, March 31, 2018 the Permian Basin was covered in a blanket of dust following high winds that made their way to the area in tandem with a cold front. As temperatures dropped in the area, the winds increased, bringing with them a wall of dust to the city of Midland and beyond. Video of the scene is provided here, courtesy of NBC DFW.

Visibility was limited throughout much of the area as wind gusts reached upwards of 50 mph, as recorded at the Midland International Airport. The gusts maintained their strength late Saturday morning and had been anticipated to slow down into that evening.

Huge Haboob Results in Parts of Midland Being Covered in Dust

Photo: Facebook/Chris Stout

This phenomenon is known as a haboob, which is described as, “…a type of intense dust storm carried on an atmospheric gravity current, also known as a weather front. Haboobs occur regularly in arid regions throughout the world.” The dust settled in on parts of West Texas Saturday, giving way to freezing temperatures on Sunday morning, April 1. The wall of dust that develops in a haboob can be up to 62 miles wide and many miles in elevation. They can approach a city, such as Midland, with little or no warning. Respiratory system protection and eye protection are advisable for those required to be outside during a storm such as this. Otherwise, moving to shelter is a good idea, where possible.