A massive wall of dust recently swept through the Phoenix metropolitan area, throwing daily life into disarray. The storm knocked out power for tens of thousands of people and grounded flights at the local airport. It was quite a spectacle, but also a serious disruption.
This enormous dust storm, which locals call a “haboob,” hit Phoenix, Arizona, last Monday. It left over 39,000 residents in Maricopa County, including those in Phoenix itself, without electricity. The strong winds and heavy dust also forced a temporary halt to all flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This kind of weather can be pretty intense.
A haboob forms when big thunderstorms collapse, sending powerful winds down to the ground. These winds then kick up a huge amount of loose desert dust. During the storm, drivers could barely see 400 meters ahead. Many cars had to quickly pull over for safety as the rain and wind lashed down. Things slowly started to clear up later that evening.
Mark O’Malley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, explained some of the context. He noted that Phoenix has seen less rain than usual this monsoon season. However, some areas to the southeast and north of the state have actually had more rainfall. He also mentioned a 40 percent chance of rain for Phoenix on Tuesday before the dry weather returns.
The Arizona Department of Transportation quickly issued a warning on platform X. They told people directly: “Do not drive into a dust storm.” Their advice was clear for those caught in one: “If you get caught while driving, pull over to the side of the road for safety.” It’s smart advice when visibility drops to almost nothing.
Beyond the power outages, the storm also caused other problems. Traffic lights stopped working in the city of Gilbert, and trees toppled over in several places. Even though the airport lifted its ground stop later that night, flights still faced delays of 15 to 30 minutes. It just goes to show how much a simple dust storm can mess with our plans.
Source: ABC News