Dust Storm — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2014-07-26 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

Intense thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix area during the late evening hours on July 26th, and they produced gusty outflow winds in excess of 50 mph which primarily affected northern and central portions of the Phoenix area. The gusty winds created dust storm conditions and led to the issuance of a Dust Storm Warning at 2223MST. The warning expired at 2300MST, and was replaced by a Blowing Dust Advisory which ran through midnight. At 2204MST, a trained spotter in east Mesa reported 40 mph winds and indicated visibility was below one half mile and dropping. At 2219MST, another trained spotter 2 miles northwest of Seville reported a dust storm with one quarter mile visibility. He also reported winds gusting to 50 mph. Finally, at 2229MST, a trained spotter 4 miles southeast of Tumbleweed Park reported a dust storm. Fortunately, no injuries or accidents were reported due to the dust storm.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed during the late evening hours across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area on July 26th. The stronger storms generated gusty and damaging microburst winds in excess of 60 mph which uprooted trees and blew down power poles and power lines. Some of the most significant damage occurred over far northern portions of the greater Phoenix area, including Desert Ridge Marketplace, Deer Valley and Peoria. In addition to the strong gusty winds, locally heavy rain occurred which led to urban flooding and the issuance of Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisories. Finally, the strong winds briefly led to dust storm conditions over central portions of the Phoenix area, including Tumbleweed Park.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 527129. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.