Dust Storm — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2013-07-02 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

During the early morning hours on July 2nd, isolated thunderstorms developed across northwest Pinal county and they moved westward across portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The storms generated gusty winds in excess of 40 mph and produced patchy dense blowing dust. At 445 am, a trained weather spotter at 2214 West South Mountain Avenue in Phoenix reported a dust storm with visibility below one eighth of a mile. The dense blowing dust was not widespread enough to warrant the issuance of a Dust Storm Warning.

Wider weather episode

Isolated thunderstorms developed and moved west across portions of Maricopa county during the early morning hours on July 2nd. The storms generated gusty winds in excess of 50 mph which led to locally dense blowing dust which affected portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The dense blowing dust was not widespread enough to warrant a Dust Storm Warning, however.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 461348. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.