Dust Storm — Gila River Valley, Arizona

2022-08-14 · Gila River Valley, Arizona

Event narrative

A video showed dense blowing dust reducing visibility below 1/4 mile along I-8 near milepost 36. No accidents or injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

Abundant moisture (PWATs 1.7-2.0) and instability (MUCAPE 2,000 J/kg) provided a favorable environment for strong to severe thunderstorms across south-central Arizona on the 14th. Daytime heating aided in thunderstorm development across the high terrain north of Phoenix before sending outflows traveling toward the south into the lower elevations. New thunderstorm development occurred along these outflows into the Valley where they produced damaging winds, dense blowing dust, and isolated flash flooding. Additional thunderstorm development occurred across southwest Arizona where better moisture allowed thunderstorms to be efficient rainfall producers, leading to multiple reports of flash flooding. No injuries were reported from this event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1052969. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.