News Summary
A significant dust storm in Texas has impacted visibility and air quality, particularly along the Interstate 35 corridor. Winds reaching up to 65 mph have caused dangerous driving conditions, prompting health warnings and major flight cancellations at airports. Residents are advised to stay cautious during their evening commutes as dust prevalence is expected to peak during rush hour.
Texas Dust Storm Causes Havoc on Evening Commute
In Texas, the skies have taken a wild turn as a substantial dusk cloud swept across the Lone Star State, particularly affecting the Hill Country and the bustling Interstate 35 corridor. As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, this dramatic dust storm began to make its presence known, leaving widespread concerns about visibility and air quality for drivers and residents. Yes, it’s that kind of day!
High Winds Rip Through Texas
The chaos can be traced to a strong Pacific cold front that brought with it incredibly high wind speeds. Gusts of wind were recorded at up to an eye-popping 65 mph in Val Verde County and 60 mph in Midland-Odessa. The city of San Antonio didn’t escape the storm’s fury, as it experienced a gust of 59 mph at Stinson-Mission Municipal Airport just before 1 p.m. Tuesday.
As the storm raged on, the winds were expected to stay strong throughout the afternoon, although they’re projected to calm down after sunset. That’s right; if you’ve got evening plans, you’ll want to pay attention to the forecast.
Visibility Dips to Dangerous Levels
Many areas saw visibility drop below three miles due to the dust and debris being kicked up by the relentless winds. In isolated spots, it became downright treacherous, with visibility plunging to below a mile, giving drivers plenty to worry about on their evening drive home.
It’s worth noting; just a day earlier, dust and smoke from wildfires found their way into San Antonio, courtesy of those high winds on March 4, 2025. It seems like Mother Nature is having quite the party!
Evening Rush Hour Disrupted
The forecast indicates the dense dust cloud is likely to reach the greater San Antonio metro area around 4 to 5 p.m., which coincides ominously with the typical evening rush hour. It’s highly recommended for all drivers to take extreme caution and be prepared for slow going.
Satellite imagery captured a breathtaking but concerning view of a wide band of dust stretching across the Texas Hill Country. If that doesn’t make you pause for a moment to admire (and worry), we don’t know what will!
Health and Safety Warnings in Effect
Air quality in San Antonio tool a nosedive into the “unhealthy” zone, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 110. This level can spell trouble for sensitive individuals, especially those with asthma or other respiratory issues. If you’re one of those folks, it’s best to stay indoors as much as possible.
Travel Plans Dashed
For those planning to fly, it’s not great news either. Major airports like Dallas-Fort Worth International and Austin Bergstrom International have instituted ground stops due to the wicked winds and blowing dust. In fact, more than 500 flights were canceled as a result of these adverse weather conditions.
Whiteout Conditions Reported
In some parts of Texas, visibility became so poor that drivers were forced to use their headlights during the day, much like they would in a thick fog. Talk about surreal! Reports of whiteout conditions rolled in, making some stretches of road completely treacherous.
What’s Next?
As the dust storm continues its journey eastward, Houston could be next on the list for dust infiltration by evening or night hours. Winds should finally taper off to a more manageable 10 to 15 mph in San Antonio by around 7:30 to 8 p.m., with a gentle breeze expected after 9 p.m. That’s a relief for sure!
As we weather this storm together, please remember to drive cautiously and, if needed, take shelter. Stay safe, Texas!
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Additional Resources
- Express News
- Wikipedia: Dust Storm
- AccuWeather
- Google Search: Dust Storm in Texas
- KENS5
- Google Scholar: Dust Storm Impact
- CNN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Visibility in Dust Storms
- Weather.com
- Google News: Severe Weather in Texas
