Dust Storm — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2013-07-12 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

Strong thunderstorms developed across northern Pinal county during the early afternoon hours on July 12th, and they produced gusty winds in excess of 50 mph which spread to the north and northwest and into the greater Phoenix area. As the winds spread out they picked up substantial amounts of dust and produced dust storm conditions, with visibilities lowering to near zero miles at times. Beginning at about 115 pm, and continuing through 2 pm, at least half a dozen trained weather spotters across the eastern and southeast portions of the greater Phoenix area reported dust storm conditions. At 116 pm a trained spotter at Superstition Springs Mall reported a quarter mile visibility at Power Road and US 60. At 120 pm, another spotter 3 miles northeast of Gilbert reported a quarter mile visibility and 40 mph winds. At 140 pm, a trained spotter 1 mile southwest of Fountain Hills reported 45 mph winds and visibility lowered below one quarter mile in dense blowing dust. Fortunately, no serious accidents were reported due to the dense blowing dust. A Dust Storm Warning was issued for the greater Phoenix area, beginning at 111 pm and continuing until 3 pm.

Wider weather episode

Scattered strong thunderstorms developed across south central Arizona during the early afternoon hours on June 12th. The storms produced damaging winds in excess of 60 mph which affected portions of the greater Phoenix area as well as communities across northwest Pinal county. In addition, the gusty winds generated dense blowing dust, sufficient to produce dust storm conditions across the central deserts. Dust storm conditions were reported by a number of trained weather spotters in the greater Phoenix area during the early afternoon hours on June 12th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 465735. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.