Dust Storm — Central Deserts, Arizona

2012-07-22 · Central Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

Early afternoon thunderstorms developed across southeast Arizona on July 22nd and they produced gusty outflow winds up to 40 mph. The gusty winds spread to the northwest and into the central deserts and created dust storm conditions. At 235 pm, the Department of Public Safety reported visibility down to 30 feet in dense blowing dust on Interstate 10 at mile marker 205. The location was just southwest of Toltec. Additional reports from the area indicated that tree limbs had been downed due to the strong winds. In addition, a Ham radio report indicated a dust storm at the Casa Grande Airport where winds of 40 mph lowered visibility below one quarter mile.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed across southeast Arizona during the early afternoon hours and they generated gusty ouflow winds which spread into the south central deserts, including the community of Casa Grande. The gusty winds picked up significant dust and generated dust storm conditions that persisted through mid afternoon. No accidents or injuries were reported due to the dust storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 588496. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.