Dust Storm — Cochise County, Arizona

2009-10-28 · Cochise County, Arizona

Event narrative

Strong winds associated with a passing cold front created blowing dust across Cochise county into the overnight hours. Blowing dust created limited visibility on Interstate 10, which led to a three vehicle collision about 20 miles east of Willcox. A commercial truck entered the dust storm and slowed down due to the low visibility. A freight truck collided with the commercial truck from behind, before the freight truck was struck by a bus from behind as well. Three people from the three vehicles suffered injuries.

Wider weather episode

An unseasonably strong and cold low pressure system entered northwest Arizona on October 27. As this storm system and its associated strong cold front approached southeast Arizona, strengthening pressure gradients created widespread winds and blowing dust.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 195450. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.