A massive dust storm, referred to in meteorological terms as a haboob, engulfed sections of metro Phoenix on Monday evening, significantly reducing visibility across the city.
In the aftermath of the dust storm, the city was battered by severe thunderstorms that caused extensive damage, including downed trees, wind destruction, and widespread power outages. At Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport, a connector bridge suffered significant damage due to wind gusts reaching 70 mph.
On Monday evening, the National Weather Service in Phoenix issued warnings for both dust storms and severe thunderstorms as a weather system advanced into Maricopa County. The weather service issued a warning to drivers regarding perilously low visibility conditions, advising individuals to “pull aside stay alive.”
The Arizona Department of Transportation has reiterated concerns about road safety, noting that visibility on I-10 and I-17 has been severely compromised due to a combination of a dust storm and flooding. Authorities are advising drivers to exercise caution while navigating these hazardous conditions.
In the aftermath of the recent storms, over 60,000 customers in Arizona found themselves without electricity, predominantly in Maricopa County, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
For approximately one hour, Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport implemented a ground stop, halting all departures and arrivals as a dense cloud of dust loomed ominously over the facility. Late Monday night, the airport faced delays of up to 30 minutes as crews conducted assessments for potential damage and roof leaks, according to airport spokesperson Gregory E. Roybal.
Authorities in Gilbert, Arizona, located approximately 22 miles southeast of Phoenix, have reported widespread “traffic light outages and downed trees across town.” Police are advising residents to refrain from travelling due to hazardous conditions.
While dust storms are a familiar occurrence during Arizona’s monsoon season, this particular storm delivered an intensified impact. A thunderstorm erupted, unleashing powerful winds that swept across the desert landscape, lifting soil and transforming it into a massive, rolling wall of dust. The towering walls rise thousands of feet and extend for miles, abruptly obscuring the horizon, reminiscent of a winter blizzard.
A haboob’s imposing wall of dust can be spotted from afar, yet by the time it arrives, seeking shelter becomes a futile endeavour—particularly for those navigating a vehicle. The visibility in the most severe storms is severely limited, with dust obscuring light and making it nearly impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.
A haboob has swept through Phoenix, following a weekend dust storm that impacted Burning Man, the annual arts festival held in Black Rock City, located approximately 120 miles from Reno.
As participants made their way to the secluded desert venue on Saturday, powerful thunderstorm winds stirred up a significant dust plume, leading to the closure of access roads and prompting vendors to secure their tents hastily.
“We were compelled to remove our sign.” “We weren’t expecting that,” vendor Mike Chuda remarked to reporters. “The wind struck at an ideal angle, causing our booth to lean forward.” That was quite an extraordinary experience.
The Southwest monsoon pattern persists, and the region remains plagued by triple-digit temperatures. Phoenix experienced nearly a quarter inch of rainfall from the storms on Monday, with the possibility of additional thunderstorms extending into Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the risk of severe weather is expected to diminish as the week progresses. As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to rise, though the presence of dry air is likely to restrict the chances of thunderstorms developing later in the week.
