Dust Storm — Northwest Pinal County, Arizona

2025-08-21 · Northwest Pinal County, Arizona

Event narrative

Visibility of less than 1/10 mile reported near Queen Creek due to dense blowing dust from thunderstorm outflow winds. Winds gusts were estimated upwards of 45 mph. No accidents or injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

The subtropical high was situated near the Four Corners area, producing an easterly steering flow of 15-20 kts across the region. Thunderstorm activity erupted near the Mogollon Rim during the early afternoon hours and was steered west to west-southwestward into the lower deserts of south-central AZ, where new thunderstorm activity developed along outflow boundaries. With MLCAPE values of around 1000 J/KG and DCAPE values in excess of 1500 J/KG, the environment was favorable for these thunderstorms to produce strong to severe downburst wind gusts as well as areas of dense blowing dust across the dust prone areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1289288. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.