Dust Storm — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2015-08-25 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

Scattered thunderstorms developed across south central Arizona during the late afternoon hours on August 25th, and some of them affected the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Some of the stronger storms produced gusty outflow winds reaching to nearly 50 mph; the strong winds generated locally dense pockets of blowing dust and associated dust storm conditions. According to an amateur radio report, at 1700MST visibility fell to just 25 yards at the intersection of highway 347 and Riggs Road, about 4 miles southwest of Firebird Lake in south Phoenix. Shortly thereafter, at 1726MST, a Dust Storm Warning was issued for much of the greater Phoenix area. The dense blowing dust created very hazardous driving conditions during the evening rush hour; fortunately there were no reports of significant accidents or injuries due to the severely restricted visibilities.

Wider weather episode

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms developed across portions of south central Arizona during the late afternoon hours on August 25th. Some of the stronger storms produced gusty outflow winds to near 50 mph, affecting northwest Pinal county as well as some of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Due to the typically dry ground conditions, the gusty winds picked up large amounts of dust and dirt, stirred them around and produced dust storm conditions; visibilities dropped to one quarter of a mile or less in the dense blowing dust. According to an amateur radio report, visibility fell to just 25 yards near Firebird Lake in south central Phoenix. Fortunately there were no reports of significant accidents or injuries due to the dust storms.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 592777. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.