Dust Storm — Gila Bend, Arizona

2018-07-30 · Gila Bend, Arizona

Event narrative

Scattered thunderstorms developed over the central deserts during the evening hours on July 30th and some of the stronger storms generated gusty outflow winds in excess of 50 mph. The gusty winds generated significant amounts of dense blowing dust which led to dust storm conditions in the Gila Bend area. At 2051MST, the official ASOS weather station in Gila Bend measured visibility down to one quarter of a mile in blowing dust. A Dust Storm Warning was issued for the area at 2010MST and it remained in effect through 2115MST.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed across the higher terrain of eastern Arizona during the afternoon hours on July 30th, and during the evening some of them spread westward and into the south-central deserts. The stronger storms generated gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph; the winds were sufficient to stir up significant amounts of blowing dust which then resulted in dust storm conditions. During the evening hours, there were numerous reports, both from trained spotters as well as the public, of dust storms which moved through the greater Phoenix metropolitan area as well as the more open desert to the south and southwest of central Phoenix. Additionally, dust storms were indicated by automated weather station observations; at 2051MST the Gila Bend ASOS reported visibility down to one quarter of a mile in blowing dust. Numerous Dust Storm Warnings as well as Dust Advisories were issued as a result of the dense blowing dust. Fortunately, no accidents were reported due to the severely restricted visibility and hazardous driving conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 767066. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.