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Strong Wind in Western Mojave Desert, California

Strong Wind November 9, 2008 · Western Mojave Desert, California

53 mph

Measured gust (46 kt)

Deaths

$1.0M

Damage as recorded

What the National Weather Service wrote

A 13-vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 40 near Newberry Springs, killing four people (indirect fatalities). The Barstow-Daggett airport, located about 15 miles west of the crash site, measured a peak wind gust of 53 mph approximately 30 minutes before the crash occurred. Visibility was reported to be poor due to blowing dust at the time of the crash.

The wider storm

Strong winds ahead of an approaching storm system buffeted the Mojave Desert, raising areas of blowing dust. Poor visibility contributed to a 13-vehicle pileup on Interstate 40, killing four people.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 135072. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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