Dust Storm — Central Deserts, Arizona

2016-08-09 · Central Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

Thunderstorms developed over the eastern portion of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including the community of Apache Junction, during the late morning hours on August 9th. The storms generated gusty winds in excess of 40 mph which spread south and across the central deserts, generating dense blowing dust with visibility falling below one quarter of a mile in some locations. At 1109MST, local law enforcement reported a dust storm 3 miles southwest of the town of Santan. They reported one quarter of a mile visibility in blowing dust along Interstate 10 between mileposts 169 and 200. A Dust Storm Warning was issued for the area starting at 1115MST and persisting until 1200MST.

Wider weather episode

During the late morning hours on August 9th, thunderstorms developed over portions of the greater Phoenix area, including the community of Apache Junction. The stronger storms generated gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph which overspread much of the greater Phoenix area as well as the central deserts to the south and east of Phoenix. The strong wind picked up significant amounts of dust and dirt and created dust storm conditions resulting in sharply reduced visibility below one quarter of a mile. Multiple trained weather spotters reported visibility at or below one quarter of a mile in a dust storm and a Dust Storm Warning was issued for the the south central deserts beginning at 1115MST and continuing through noon. Fortunately no serious accidents or injuries occurred due to the dense blowing dust.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 647197. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.