First Alert Weather: North Texas sees dusty, hazy Monday morning
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) — If you stepped out the door to dust all over your car or noticed the haze over the metroplex today, you're not alone.
While North Texas was spared from the severe weather outbreak on Sunday that caused significant damage in Norman and Oklahoma City, it wasn't spared from the strong wind gusts and dust from West Texas.
Dust has covered cars; dropping the air quality across the metroplex.
"And that will cause asthma and allergies to flare because of the increased pollen and particulates that are coming into our area," said Dr. Marie Fitzgerald, an allergist and immunologist.
It's enough to likely bother just about everyone, but it will be especially difficult for people with upper respiratory issues, chronic lung problems, asthma and allergies.
"So my best advice would be for people to stay in if that is possible for them," said Dr. Fitzgerald. "To make sure that they're taking their daily asthma medicines and allergy medicines."
Wearing a mask or face covering could also help block some of the dust and other particles in the air.
Pollen counts are already high right now.
"Warmer weather means earlier springtime, so we're getting all that wonderful pollen from the trees coming up," said Dr. Christina Huddleston, another allergist and immunologist.
Add in a new layer of dust, and you've got a recipe for misery.
"We're going to get more of that sneezing, watery nose and even some itchy eyes as well," Dr. Huddleston said. "It's not acting the same as pollen, but it can still be more irritating and causes the same type of symptoms."
The air quality is beginning to improve, but Huddleston said it's possible to experience symptoms associated with the increased dust for the next few days.
Tuesday will be in the 80s with partly cloudy skies, and it'll remain warm on Wednesday, as well. But showers and storms return to the forecast on Wednesday, and by Thursday... we're looking at another chance for severe weather across North Texas.
A wind advisory expired at 2 a.m. Monday, but not before strong westerly winds brought dust to the region. This dust has covered our vehicles, and it's also dropped the air quality across North Texas—I'm sure you noticed those hazy skies heading out the door this morning.
