Home / Weather / Haboob Hits Phoenix: Zero Visibility Warning
Haboob Hits Phoenix: Zero Visibility Warning
14 Jul
Summary
- A dust storm warning was issued for Maricopa and Pinal counties.
- Visibility dropped to near zero with winds exceeding 50 mph.
- Drivers are advised to pull over and turn off lights if caught in a storm.
On Monday, July 13, at 6:18 p.m. MST, the National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Dust Storm Warning for Maricopa and Pinal counties, effective until 7:15 p.m. MST. A significant wall of dust, traveling northwest at 25 mph, caused visibility to reduce to less than a quarter mile, accompanied by strong winds exceeding 50 mph. This posed a life-threatening travel hazard, impacting major highways including I-10, US 60, and AZ 87.
The dust storm, known as a haboob, is a common occurrence in Arizona during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September. Haboobs form when cold downdrafts from thunderstorms hit the desert floor, kicking up large amounts of dust. The term 'haboob' is Arabic for 'big, blasting winds.'
These storms are typically short-lived, lasting from a few minutes to an hour. However, reduced visibility can persist longer. The Arizona Department of Transportation's 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive' campaign offers crucial safety advice: drivers caught in a dust storm should slow down, pull completely off the roadway when possible, turn off headlights, and remain in their vehicles with seat belts buckled until the storm subsides.
