Massive Dust Storms In Phoenix Cause Airport Delays And Power Outages

A towering wall of dust, known as a haboob, swept across metro Phoenix Monday evening, reducing visibility to near zero and creating dangerous travel conditions. The intense dust storms in Phoenix were quickly followed by severe thunderstorms that left behind downed trees, damaged structures, and widespread power outages across Maricopa County.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, wind gusts reaching 70 mph shredded part of a connector bridge. Across the metro area, police and emergency crews responded to blocked roads, toppled power lines, and dangerous flooding.

Wall of dust rolls through Phoenix

Warnings Issued as Dust Storm Engulfed Phoenix

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix issued both dust storm and severe thunderstorm warnings as the system pushed into Maricopa County. 

Drivers were urged to follow the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign to avoid accidents in near-zero visibility.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) echoed the warning, reporting hazardous conditions on I-10 and I-17 due to blowing dust and roadway flooding. 

Motorists were advised to slow down, pull over when necessary, and avoid unnecessary travel.

By Monday night, more than 60,000 customers across Arizona were without electricity, with the majority of outages concentrated in Maricopa County, according to PowerOutage.us. 

Wall of dust at Sky Harbor airport

In Gilbert, about 22 miles southeast of Phoenix, police reported traffic signal outages and downed trees, urging residents to stay home until conditions improved.

What Causes a Haboob in Arizona?

Dust storms like this are a familiar part of Arizona’s monsoon season, but Monday’s haboob was particularly strong. 

The storm formed when a thunderstorm collapsed, sending powerful winds racing outward. These winds lifted desert soil into the air, building a massive rolling wall of dust that climbed thousands of feet high and stretched for miles.

Visibility inside a haboob can drop to just a few feet, making it nearly impossible to drive safely. 

The haboob is in Coolidge, Arizona

While you can often see the wall of dust approaching, once it arrives, finding shelter becomes extremely difficult.

The Phoenix haboob followed a weekend dust storm in Nevada that struck the Burning Man festival near Black Rock City. 

Strong thunderstorm winds there whipped up a giant dust plume, shutting down access roads and forcing vendors to secure tents and booths against powerful gusts.

Outlook: More Storms and Heat Ahead

Phoenix recorded just under a quarter inch of rain during Monday’s storms. The Southwest monsoon will continue to bring a chance of thunderstorms through Wednesday, though dry air later in the week will reduce storm potential. 

Despite the storms, triple-digit heat remains in the forecast, with temperatures climbing as the week progresses.