Date: 201601
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: PSP.Airport, CA
Flight conditions: Marginal
Aircraft: B737-800
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Landing
ATC / advisory: Tower PSP
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Flight arrived to fly SBONO1 STAR; and land Runway 13R due to ATIS winds reported 140/10. SOCAL approach informed flight that due to high winds northeast of field; flights were landing 31L even with tailwind. I made the decision to land 13R with FO's (PF) concurrence due to tailwind landing limit of 10 knots [in the] Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). Vectors for visual for 13R landing were 2 to 3 NM outside of SBONO1 STAR points due to SOCAL radar limitations. Flight encountered continuous moderate turbulence from 7;000 MSL to 2;500 MSL which made communications and flight more difficult. There was no weather advisory nor did the flight plan include any weather alternate for this weather at PSP. We did have ferry fuel loaded but I did not consider that for diversion at this time. Configuration to land was made early. Visibility was reduced significantly to 2 to 4 NM by blowing sand and dust up to 5;000 MSL. SOCAL approach vectors when transferred to Tower placed aircraft at a point and position where a 360 degree turn was needed to lose further altitude and line up with the extended centerline of 13R. Moderate turbulence continued from 2;500 MSL to 2;000 AGL throughout the turn; such that airspeed varied 15 knots either side of set speed and aircraft control was the primary task of PF and PM. Visual approach was attempted to 13R. Aircraft was not in a stable position to land at 1;000 feet AGL or 500 feet AGL primarily due to gusting and turbulent winds affecting set speed; so I directed a go around. Subsequent vectors were flown for a visual to 31L; with much more stable air mass and reported tailwinds now at below 10 knots (140/08). Visibility still was reduced to 3-5 NM due to dust and blowing debris. Configuration was made early again with a flaps 40 configuration and auto brakes at three. I continued to monitor the tailwind component. The last wind check was at 300 feet and I noted 140/08. However; due to the gusting winds; it is highly possible that the 10 knot tailwind limit was exceeded at landing. Normal landing and taxi to gate was uneventful with several PIREPS to Tower and SOCAL on wind; visibility and turbulence.  [Report] will be filed for same event due to possible AFM tailwind landing limit exceedance.Get better weather information; capabilities at PSP for aircrews to make informed decisions on alternates; holding etc. Include in all flight plans to PSP alternate information for LAX.


Second narrative: [Report narrative contained no additional information.]


Synopsis: B737-800 flight crew reported possibly exceeding tailwind limit during landing at PSP.