Dust Storm — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2014-07-25 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

Thunderstorms developed across the central deserts during the late afternoon hours on July 25th, and due to favorable atmospheric conditions, were able to generate strong gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph. The gusty winds picked up significant amounts of dust and caused dust storm conditions; a Dust Storm Warning was issued for the greater Phoenix metropolitan area from 1645MST until 1900MST. At 1718MST, a trained spotter 4 miles southwest of Firebird Lake reported visibility down to 150 feet near State Route 347 and Riggs Road due to dense blowing dust. At 1735MST, a National Weather Service employee 3 miles east of Superstition Springs reported half mile visibility at the intersection of Baseline and Ellsworth roads. Finally, at 1747MST, the AWOS automatic weather station at the Falcon Field airport measured one quarter mile visibility in blowing dust. Although the dense blowing dust caused very hazardous driving conditions during the evening rush hour, no accidents or injuries were reported due to the dust storm.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed across the central deserts during the late afternoon hours on July 25th, and due to favorable atmospheric conditions, they were able to generate strong and gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph. The outflow winds spread across much of the central deserts, including the greater Phoenix area, and generated dust storm conditions. A number of weather spotters reported visibilities at or below one quarter mile in dense blowing dust, and Dust Storm Warnings as well as Blowing Dust Advisories were issued. No injuries were reported due to the dense blowing dust.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 526177. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.