Dust Storm — Central Deserts, Arizona

2013-07-02 · Central Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

Excessive heat persisted across the southern Arizona deserts on July 2nd, and this led to the development of isolated strong and high based thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. After about 830 pm, gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph produced dust storm conditions across portions of northern Pinal county. Several trained weather spotters reported dust storm conditions with visibilities below one quarter mile in dense blowing dust. At 855 pm, a spotter 2 miles north of Coolidge reported near zero visibility at highway 87 and 287, and winds were gusting to 40 mph. Also, at 906 pm, a spotter 3 miles northwest of Casa Grande reported visibility down to zero miles in dense blowing dust. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries were reported due to the dust storm conditions.

Wider weather episode

Excessive heat continued across the lower deserts of Arizona on the 2nd of July, and this led to isolated and high based thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. During the evening hours, strong and gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph generated dust storm conditions across portions of northwest Pinal county. Several trained weather spotters in communities such as Casa Grande and Coolidge reported visibilities below one quarter mile in dense blowing dust.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 540624. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.