High Wind — Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264, Arizona

2002-03-23 · Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264, Arizona

Wider weather episode

An approaching Pacific storm system bought strong and gusty southwest wind to northeastern Arizona. Sustained wind of 30 to 40 MPH were common with numerous gusts between 45 and 55 MPH. Areas of blowing dust were reported with the visibility reduced to one mile near Petrified Forest National Monument. An observer at Eagar reported wind gusts of 50 to 58 mph with a few one foot in diameter trees blown down. Some reported peak wind gusts were: Meteor Crater 81MPH, Eagar 58 MPH, St Johns Airport 51 MPH, Show Low Airport 52 MPH, and Window Rock Airport 50 MPH.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5284068. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.