Dust Storm — Moses Lake Area, Washington

2020-05-02 · Moses Lake Area, Washington

Event narrative

A member of the public reported that there was a dust storm ahead of the incoming thunderstorm in Moses Lake. There were wind gusts reported at Moses Lake Airport reaching 45 mph.

Wider weather episode

The passage of a strong cold front brought a line of convection and strong winds in the afternoon and early evening of May 2nd. The fast moving front tracked from the southwest and moved out of northeastern Washington by the mid-evening hours. The outflow boundary produced numerous dust storms ahead of the thunderstorms in far eastern Washington and Columbia Basin. Sustained winds of 25-30 mph with gusts to 40-55 mph created near to zero visibility from the blowing dust.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 894904. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.