Tired of windy weather in Fort Worth? Here’s why it’s happening and when it will stop
North Texas has seen its fair share of high winds this last week.
High winds delayed and canceled numerous flights at Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport last week. Strong winds also may have North Texans feeling more irritable, which scientists blame on there being too many positive ions in the air.
Why has the Metroplex been inundated with high winds of late? Blame the dry climate.
“Since we’re not getting the storms, the focus becomes post-frontal winds,” National Weather Service Fort Worth meteorologist Matt Bishop said.
Why is North Texas is getting strong winds?
A few strong storm systems have moved though the Great Plains region of late, and typically, these storms will generate thunderstorms.
However, since the Metroplex has been dry, thunderstorms are not blowing up until they move east into Louisiana and Mississippi, Bishop said. Essentially, North Texas is getting all the wind, while other less-dry areas are getting rain and thunderstorms.
Normally, North Texans would be doing storm cleanup at this point in the year, Bishop said. Instead of storms, the region is getting wind on the backside of these weather systems.
The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Tarrant County is abnormally dry as of March 18.
Is this normal for this time of the year?
Yes. Bishop said it’s typical for strong storm systems to move through the Great Plains this time of year.
The only thing different of late is that these storm systems have been “exceptionally strong,” Bishop said. North Texans can expect the same pattern next year, although perhaps with more rain.
There’s a break in windy weather on Thursday, March 20, before breezy conditions return on Friday, March 21, and into the weekend. However, winds won’t be as breezy as last week, Bishop said.
Here’s a look at the next few days of wind:
- Thursday, March 20- Winds 5-10 mph.
- Friday, March 21- Winds 10-20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.
- Saturday, March 22- Winds 5-15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.
- Sunday, March 23- Winds around 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.
- Monday, March 24- Winds around 5 mph.
Why has it been dusty in North Texas?
There have been a couple times this month where dust has blown across North Texas.
Most of the dust is coming from West Texas, which has also been dry, Bishop said. Since that region is particularly barren, the wind picks up and starts blowing dust towards the Metroplex.
The biggest threats with dust are limited visibility and diminished air quality.
