Dust Storm — Lower Colorado River Valley, California

2014-07-06 · Lower Colorado River Valley, California

Event narrative

Strong thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon hours across southwest Arizona, and they generated strong gusty easterly outflow winds in excess of 40 mph. The gusty winds spread into portions of the lower Colorado River valley, including Blythe, and created dust storm conditions. At 1716MST a trained spotter 2 miles west of Blythe reported a dust storm at the Blythe airport. Visibility dropped to less than one tenth of a mile in dense blowing dust and sand.

Wider weather episode

Late afternoon and evening thunderstorms generated strong gusty outflow winds which moved into the deserts of eastern Riverside county and created dust storm conditions. Gusty east winds in excess of 40 mph were sufficient to drop visibilities to one quarter mile or below in dense blowing dust and sand, creating very hazardous driving conditions along the Interstate 10 corridor from Blythe westward to Eagle Mountain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 525781. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.