Climatology of blowing dust and triggering mechanisms across West Texas

Wigner (1984) stated that blowing dust climatologies for stations other than Lubbock need to be compiled to better understand this phenomenon across the South Plains. It is with this statement in mind that this thesis has been written. The main objective of this thesis is to present detailed blowing dust climatologies for Amarillo, Midland, Reese Air Force Base, and Lubbock (updated). Intercomparisons of the four stations are provided. Lubbock and Reese Air Force Base are compared to attempt to determine which station better represents the Lubbock area. A possible explanation for the change in blowing dust patterns over the forty-one year (forty-two for Reese and Lubbock) period is presented.