Drought, Wind, and Blowing Dust on the Southern High Plains of the United States

Blowing dust is commonly studied in terms of climatic conditions that affect the amount of erosion. A new measure of blowing dust amounts on a regional scale is derived from meteorological data for Lubbock, Texas, based on visibility records and wind speeds during blowing dust events. Regression analysis suggests that the fraction of time of potential erosion (based on wind speed) and the Palmer Drought Severity Index (an index of regional soil moisture) are poor predictors of blowing dust amounts. Changing agricultural management techniques may account for much of the variability of blowing dust in the region. [Key words: blowing dust, drought, wind erosion, Southern High Plains.]