Here We Go Again: Massive Dust Storms Pummel High Plains

ImaGeo iconImaGeoBy Tom YulsmanMar 19, 2014 4:42 AM
Screenshot_3_18_14_5_58_PM-1024x544.jpg

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Two huge dust storms are visible in Colorado and Texas in this mosaic of satellite images captured on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 by NASA's Terra satellite. (Source: NASA) Just a week ago, I posted some imagery of an intense dust storm sweeping south through the High Plains. Well, here we go again... Today, high winds triggered two dust storms, one in Colorado stretching into Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle, and the other in the Texas Panhandle — the same region as last week's storm. They were so big that they are clearly visible in a mosaic of images from NASA's Terra satellite showing almost all of the United States. (See above.) Here's an animation of two close-up images of the Colorado dust storm, the first taken by Terra and the second taken later in the day by the spacecraft's sister satellite, Aqua:

An animation of two satellite images shows the spreading Colorado dust storm. (Images: NASA. Animation: Tom Yulsman) Here's what it looked like on the ground today in Holly, Colorado:

Holly, Colorado. RT @rickenstrom: Near zero visibility in dust storm near Holly today. #cowxpic.twitter.com/9kDh4a1iBF — Anthony Sagliani (@anthonywx) March 18, 2014

As I mentioned last week, the March 11 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows this region in the grips of severe drought. Echoes of the Dust Bowl...

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2023 Kalmbach Media Co.