Storm brings a potpourri of dangers for the US

A powerful mid-width cyclone delivered a potpourri of weather dads as it worked over the United States in March 2025. Beginning on March 3, System with low pressure FANNED WILDFIRES AND Blinding dust storms In the southwest severe thunderstorms and tornadoes In the southeast fuel, blizzards burned in the large plains and midwest and fell heavily rain in the northeast.

Thick dust -dusting streamed over the western texas in this photo, caught on March 4, 2025, of Modis (Moderate Resolution Picture Spectroradiometer) On NASAs Terra satellite. Dust clouds appear to be derived from dry landscapes in northern Mexico and West Texas, a region spanning over Chihuahuan Desertcattle ranches and cotton holdings, and Gas and oil fields.

Unique drought has grabbed West Texas in the last several months according to US drought surveillance. The lack of rain has parched vegetation and dried land surface, making the region particularly susceptible to erosion and dust storms.

Heady winds and thick blows of blowing dust led to traffic accidents, flights, school closures, power cuts and red and orange skies throughout the state and the region, according to News reports. A particularly serious dust storm on March 3 reduced sharply visibility and contributed to a sharp to a 21-car accident Near Roswell, New Mexico.

“This is a big event, but dust storms are typical of this region at this time of year,” said Santiago GassóAn atmospheric scientist from the University of Maryland, based on NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “Unfortunately, we see longer droughts in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico so we can expect more of this type of event.”

Tools driven by NASA data and satellites are available to meteorologists, scientists and others who track the storm. The WorldSyn Browser Host timely data and images from multiple satellites. ONE Data Viewer from NASAs Short -term prediction research and transition center (Sports) provides access to precipitation, lightning, air quality and other data and NASAs Global Modeling and Assimilation Office Have tools for Real -time weather analysis and Reanalysis.

One of the newer data products comes from one Experimental aerosol ethection algorithm That NOAAs Aerosolwatch Team develops. The algorithm makes it easier to distinguish between dust and smoke, both of which were present in the disiant plume of Texas on March 4 by merging data collected by Tempo (Tropospheric emissions: monitoring pollution) Mission with ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager) Observations from Goes-19 satellite.

“The combination of tempo with Goes is very promising,” Gassó said. “Both satellites make several observations every day, and in view of their combined observations at several spectral channelsWe are able to fully characterize smoke or dust in time, space and concentration for the first time. “

NASA Earth Observatory Image by Michala Garrison using Modis -Data from NASA Eosdis Lance and Gibs/WorldView. History of Adam Voiland.