Dust Storm — Lower Columbia Basin, Washington

2014-08-30 · Lower Columbia Basin, Washington

Event narrative

Tri-City Herald.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms that developed just west of the Oregon Cascades produced an outflow boundary with moderate wind speeds. Winds were strong enough to produce blowing dust across the I-82 corridor, reducing visibility to less than 100 ft. This caused multiple collisions involving roughly 50 vehicles. No Fatalities but 9 people were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 531595. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.