Blowing Dust? Today?

I emptied my totally full rain gauge the other day, it had 5 inches of rain in it.  Yesterday, it had a half inch of rain in it.  Today, the dust is blowing.  This is not unusual in Texas.  Part of it has to do with how quickly the ground dries, and of course the wind helps it to dry more quickly.

I wonder if part of it has to do with the way the rains come.  We occasionally get a soft, gentle rain.  But this week the rains at times were torrential, causing flash flooding and other damage.  So the water just runs off.  And, since there is no underground drainage to speak of, it runs off and floods.

I have to think there is another reason the water runs off.  The soil around here has a high clay content.  When it is dry, the soil bakes solid and it is difficult for water to penetrate it.  And, when it gets wet, the clay swells up and takes up the water, but gets water-logged quickly.  So the ground is soaked quickly and there is nothing for the water to do but run off.  And the earth dries quickly especially in the hot sun and constant wind, so then the dust blows. 

Welcome to West Texas.