Dust Storm — Southwest Maricopa County, Arizona

2016-07-29 · Southwest Maricopa County, Arizona

Event narrative

Thunderstorms moved southwestward from the greater Phoenix area and across the deserts of southwest Maricopa County during the evening hours on July 29th. The stronger storms produced gusty outflow winds well in excess of 50 mph and in fact peak gusts near Gila Bend reached near 90 mph shortly after the dust storm was reported. The gusty winds picked up significant amounts of dust and created dust storm conditions with near zero visibility and at 2121MST a trained spotter 1 mile northeast of Gila Bend reported visibility below one quarter mile in a dust storm. A Dust Storm Warning was issued at 2132MST and it remained in effect until 2300MST. Fortunately no accidents or injuries were reported due to the dense blowing dust.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed across the central and eastern Arizona mountains during the afternoon hours on July 29th, and they proceeded to move southwest and into the south-central deserts during the evening hours. The stronger storms produced very strong and gusty outflow winds, measured at times to be well in excess of 50 mph. The winds stirred up significant amounts of dust and dirt which led to an evening dust storm; the most significant blowing dust occurred over the central deserts however dust storm conditions were also observed over portions of the greater Phoenix area. Numerous trained weather spotters in locations such as Casa Grande, Ak-Chin and Maricopa reported visibilities to near zero visibility in dense blowing dust. Although the dense blowing dust created a serious driving hazard, there were no serious accidents or injuries reported as a result of the dust storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 646185. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.