The National Weather Service has issued a dust storm warning for Maricopa County until 8:15 p.m. on July 25.
The dust wall stretched from near Estrella Sailport to near Freeman, six miles southwest of Bighorn, and was moving southeast at 35 mph.
Hazards include visibility less than a quarter mile with wind gusts exceeding 40 mph, creating dangerous and life-threatening travel.
This includes the following highways: Interstate 8 between mile markers 128 and 171, State Route 238 between mile markers 28 and 44, and State Route 347 between mile markers 161 and 178.
Affected areas include Casa Grande, Maricopa, Freeman, Bighorn, Estrella Sailport, Stanfield, Ak-Chin Village and Mobile.
The wall of dust was along a line stretching from 11 miles northeast of Sonora National Monument to near Estrella and then to the Bosque area, and was moving southeast at 35 mph.
Hazards include visibility less than a quarter mile and winds gusts in excess of 50 mph, creating dangerous and life-threatening travel.
This includes the following highways: Interstate 8 between mile markers 105 and 171, State Route 238 between mile markers 1 and 44, State Route 85 between mile markers 1 and 12, and between mile markers 119 and 131.
Affected locations include Goodyear, Casa Grande, Gila Bend, Maricopa, Estrella, Bighorn, Bosque, Freeman, Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield, Estrella Sailport, Sonora National Monument, Mobile, Rainbow Valley, Stanfield and Ak-Chin Village.
The wall of dust was moving southwest at 40 mph along a line stretching from near Maricopa to near Alberg, 6 miles north of Casa Grande.
Hazards include visibility less than a quarter mile with winds exceeding 40 mph, creating dangerous and life-threatening travel.
This includes the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 174 and 199, Interstate 8 between mile markers 153 and 178, and Interstate 87 between mile markers 138 and 148.
Affected areas include Casa Grande, Maricopa, Blackwater, Bapture, Estrella Sailport, Olberg, Arizona, Stanfield, Ak-Chin Village, Sacaton and Mobile.
For the latest warnings and alerts, Weather forecast page.
“Haboobs” are common in Arizona during the monsoon season, when strong winds kick up sand and dust from June through September, causing massive dust storms across the state.
“Haboob” means “strong wind” in Arabic, explained Andrew Deamer, a meteorologist and former linguist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
term: When did the word “haboob” start being used to describe dust storms in Arizona?
What should you do if you encounter a sandstorm while driving?
The Arizona Department of Transportation is offering helpful tips for drivers who may get caught in a dust storm while driving. The “Yield, Survive” campaign aims to get drivers out of dangerous situations by providing tips on how to survive a dust storm.
- If you encounter a sandstorm, immediately check traffic conditions around your vehicle (in front, behind and to the sides) and reduce your speed.
- Don't wait until visibility is so poor that it's difficult to safely pull off the road — get off the road as soon as you can, and if possible, get off the highway completely.
- Don't stop in a traffic or emergency lane. Find a safe place completely off the paved road.
- Turn off all vehicle lights to prevent vehicles approaching from behind from seeing your lights as a marker and hitting your parked vehicle.
- Apply the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake. Stay in the car with your seat belt fastened and wait for the storm to pass.
- Drivers of tall vehicles should pay special attention to changing weather conditions and drive at reduced speeds.
For more information on dust storm safety, Pour Aside Stay Alive.
This story was produced by The Arizona Republic and the USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. Edited by staff.
