Dust Storm — Southwest Deserts, Arizona

2012-07-21 · Southwest Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southeast Arizona during the afternoon hours on July 21st and they generated strong gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph. The winds picked up substantial amounts of dust and sand as they spread west, and created dust storm conditions over the southwest Arizona deserts. At 730 pm a trained weather spotter in Dateland reported a dust storm, with visibility down to one eighth of a mile in dense blowing dust. A dust storm warning was issued shortly afterwards for the southwest Arizona deserts. No accidents or injuries were reported due to the dense blowing dust.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southeast Arizona during the afternoon hours on July 21st. The storms produced gusty outflow winds which spread westward across the lower deserts during the evening hours. The winds picked up substantial amounts of dust and sand and generated dust storm conditions which spread into the southwest Arizona deserts after 7 pm. No injuries were reported associated with the dust storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 390015. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.