A trifecta of wind, dust, and wildfire danger will impact the western half of Texas today. Damaging wind gusts over 60 MPH are possible across the northwestern half of Texas. In fact, we’ve already had wind gusts over 80 MPH in Lubbock this morning.
Those damaging winds are lofting massive amounts of dust, which will be blown east across Texas throughout the day. Reduced visibility and possible dust storm conditions are expected along and west of Interstate 35 in North Texas, Big Country, Concho Valley, Northwest Texas, the Panhandle, West Texas, Permian Basin, and Borderland this morning into the afternoon.
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Winds will be less intense across the southeastern half of Texas, but they’ll still be gusty, reaching up to 45 MPH. Very dry air will filter into all but the far eastern portions of Texas by this afternoon. Combined with the strong winds and drought conditions, extremely critical wildfire danger will exist. Any fires that ignite have a high potential to spread rapidly and become uncontrollable until weather conditions improve tonight.
These fires may pose a direct threat to life and property, so please be vigilant and evacuate if directed, or if a fire approaches your location.
Significant severe storms are likely today, tonight, and Saturday across the Midwest and Mid-South. Long-track tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and damaging hail are all expected to occur in substantial numbers. Texas looks to remain mostly dry, with a few storms possible late tonight in North Texas and Northeast Texas.
Due to very dry air in the lower levels of the atmosphere, most rain will evaporate before reaching the surface, leading to a rare phenomenon for Texas: dry thunderstorms. Lightning may ignite wildfires overnight where we see these dry thunderstorms.
This weekend’s weather will be calmer in Texas, but wildfire danger will remain very high to extreme.
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