National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Strong Winds and Blowing Dust Affect Phoenix
Tuesday August 11, 2015

Updated: 5am Wednesday 12 Aug 2015

 

AZ Science Center AZ Science Center

Images courtesy Arizona Science Center (10:00am & 10:30pm)

A fast moving complex of showers and thunderstorms made its way through New Mexico, into Arizona, and through the Phoenix metro area during the morning hours of Tuesday 11 August 2015. Not only were 40-50mph winds common with these storms, but visibilities were reduced dramatically as blowing dust enveloped the metro area. Storms eventually moved into northern Arizona shortly after noon, with quiet weather taking hold during the afternoon/early evening hours.

A secondary disturbance moved through southeast Arizona several hours later, eventually making its way through the Phoenix metro between 8pm and midnight. For the second time in less than 12 hours, widespread winds (this time in the 50-60mph range) overspread the valley along with near-zero visibility due to blowing dust.


Round 1 (Tuesday Morning)

 

Radar loops: Click each image for a larger view
Morning radar image
Morning radar image

Base reflectivity imagery from KIWA Doppler radar. Brighter colors indicate stronger storms/heavier rainfall. Imagery from approximately 9am - 1050am

Base velocity imagery from KIWA Doppler radar. Brighter colors indicate stronger winds. Imagery from approximately 9am - 1050am

 

Preliminary summary of morning peak winds:
LOCATION                     SPEED     TIME/DATE       LAT/LON

6 ENE DEER VALLEY            59 MPH    1009 AM 08/11   33.72N/112.02W
PHOENIX DEER VALLEY AIRPORT  57 MPH    1003 AM 08/11   33.69N/112.08W
5 NW EAST MESA               57 MPH    0931 AM 08/11   33.47N/111.73W
1 WSW LUKE AFB               52 MPH    1030 AM 08/11   33.53N/112.38W
PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL ARPT 52 MPH    0958 AM 08/11   33.43N/112.00W
RDA (PHOENIX) WILLIAMS AIR F 51 MPH    0941 AM 08/11   33.29N/111.67W
7 SSW CAVE CREEK             49 MPH    1003 AM 08/11   33.72N/111.99W
CHANDLER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT   46 MPH    0947 AM 08/11   33.27N/111.81W
SCOTTSDALE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 46 MPH    0957 AM 08/11   33.62N/111.91W
3 NE EAST MESA               45 MPH    0931 AM 08/11   33.45N/111.65W
1 ENE CAREFREE               43 MPH    1024 AM 08/11   33.83N/111.90W
4 W QUEEN CREEK              42 MPH    0947 AM 08/11   33.23N/111.72W
2 N GILBERT                  40 MPH    0941 AM 08/11   33.39N/111.79W
6 W NORTH SCOTTSDALE         40 MPH    1005 AM 08/11   33.65N/112.00W
5 E DEER VALLEY              40 MPH    1013 AM 08/11   33.66N/112.02W
3 WSW APACHE JUNCTION        40 MPH    0933 AM 08/11   33.40N/111.60W
6 ESE DEER VALLEY            39 MPH    1000 AM 08/11   33.65N/112.01W
1 SSW YOUNGTOWN              39 MPH    1044 AM 08/11   33.57N/112.31W
6 WNW PARADISE VALLEY        39 MPH    1017 AM 08/11   33.57N/112.05W
4 SSE NEW RIVER              37 MPH    1017 AM 08/11   33.86N/112.10W
HIGLEY                       37 MPH    0939 AM 08/11   33.31N/111.72W
2 ENE TEMPE                  36 MPH    0952 AM 08/11   33.40N/111.88W
1 W HIGLEY                   35 MPH    0942 AM 08/11   33.31N/111.75W
FOUNTAIN HILLS               34 MPH    1006 AM 08/11   33.61N/111.73W
1 NE PEORIA                  34 MPH    1030 AM 08/11   33.59N/112.22W
3 NNE ODESSA                 33 MPH    1025 AM 08/11   33.57N/112.17W
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS          32 MPH    1004 AM 08/11   33.31N/112.05W
3 ESE QUEEN CREEK            32 MPH    0915 AM 08/11   33.22N/111.59W
3 N HIGLEY                   31 MPH    0938 AM 08/11   33.35N/111.71W
5 E DEER VALLEY              31 MPH    1008 AM 08/11   33.65N/112.03W
6 NW PARADISE VALLEY         31 MPH    1010 AM 08/11   33.59N/112.03W
5 SE DEER VALLEY             31 MPH    1004 AM 08/11   33.62N/112.04W
1 NNE GOODYEAR               30 MPH    1040 AM 08/11   33.46N/112.40W
1 NW GILBERT                 30 MPH    0948 AM 08/11   33.37N/111.81W
5 N NORTH SCOTTSDALE         30 MPH    1038 AM 08/11   33.70N/111.88W
3 SW GUADALUPE               30 MPH    0959 AM 08/11   33.33N/111.99W

 

Preliminary summary of morning storm reports:
..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0910 AM     DUST STORM       1 NW SAN TAN VALLEY     33.18N 111.58W
08/11/2015                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            VISIBILITIES DOWN TO 1/4 MILES AND DECREASING IN 
            BLOWING DUST NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF GARY ROAD AND HUNT 
            HWY. 

0917 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 ESE SUPERSTITION SPRI 33.37N 111.62W
08/11/2015  E45 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ESTIMATED 45 MPH WINDS AND CONSIDERABLE DUST ON THE 
            HORIZON FROM APACHE JUNCTION...NEAR SUPERSTITION SPRINGS 
            AND IDAHO. 

0923 AM     DUST STORM       4 ESE SUPERSTITION SPRI 33.37N 111.62W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            VISIBILITY 1/4 MILE. WINDS GUSTING TO 45 MPH. 

0930 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 SE TUMBLEWEED PARK    33.24N 111.78W
08/11/2015  E50 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0930 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 ESE CHANDLER          33.27N 111.81W
08/11/2015  M46 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

            ALONG WITH 2 MILE VISIBILITY IN BLOWING DUST 

0931 AM     TSTM WND GST     3 NNE MESA              33.46N 111.73W
08/11/2015  M58 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

0937 AM     DUST STORM       4 SSE TUMBLEWEED PARK   33.22N 111.79W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            LESS THAN 1/8 MILE VIS WITH G40 MPH WINDS. 

0940 AM     TSTM WND GST     GRANITE REEF DAM        33.51N 111.69W
08/11/2015  M55 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   MESONET         

0941 AM     DUST STORM       4 E HIGLEY              33.31N 111.66W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

            ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY WITH MEASURED 51 MPH WIND 
            GUST 

0955 AM     DUST STORM       1 S CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN  33.50N 111.96W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            VISIBILITY LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE 

0957 AM     DUST STORM       3 SW DESERT RIDGE MARKE 33.65N 112.01W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY WITH MEASURED 39 MPH WIND 
            GUST 

0958 AM     TSTM WND GST     6 NNW GUADALUPE         33.43N 112.01W
08/11/2015  M52 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   ASOS            

1000 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 NNW NORTH MOUNTAIN PA 33.64N 112.10W
08/11/2015  E55 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

1000 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 ENE SKY HARBOR AIRPOR 33.45N 111.99W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            PALO VERDE TREE WITH 8-10 INCH DIAMETER TRUNK KNOCKED 
            DOWN ONTO CAR NEAR 44TH ST AND VAN BUREN. 

1003 AM     TSTM WND GST     9 E PEORIA              33.69N 112.08W
08/11/2015  M58 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   ASOS            

1005 AM     DUST STORM       9 NNE GLENDALE          33.66N 112.13W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ONE HALF MILE VISIBILITY NEAR I-17 AND LOOP 101 WITH 40 
            MPH WIND GUSTS 

1015 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 NNW CHANDLER FASHION  33.32N 111.91W
08/11/2015  M0.50 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ONE HALF INCH IN 5 MINUTES 

1015 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 S TEMPE               33.32N 111.93W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            8 INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMB DOWNED 

1015 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NE TOLLESON           33.47N 112.24W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            AT LEAST TWO PALO VERDE TREES WITH TRUNK DIAMETERS OF 
            SIX TO TWELVE INCHES KNOCKED DOWN OR SEVERELY DAMAGED 
            NEAR 83RD AVE AND MCDOWELL RD. 

1020 AM     TSTM WND GST     SURPRISE                33.65N 112.34W
08/11/2015  E50 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ALONG WITH 4 INCH DIAMETER TREE BRANCHES DOWN 

1030 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 W LUKE AFB            33.53N 112.38W
08/11/2015  M52 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

1030 AM     TSTM WND GST     3 SSW BEARDSLEY         33.64N 112.42W
08/11/2015  E40 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ALONG WITH BLOWING DUST 

1055 AM     DUST STORM       5 NNE HASSAYAMPA        33.42N 112.69W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

            ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY WITH WIND GUSTS MEASURED 45 
            MPH 

 


Round 2 (Tuesday Evening)

 

Radar loops: Click each image for a larger view
Evening radar image
Evening radar image

Base reflectivity imagery from KIWA Doppler radar. Brighter colors indicate stronger storms/heavier rainfall. Imagery from approximately 830pm - 1030pm

Base velocity imagery from KIWA Doppler radar. Brighter colors indicate stronger winds. Imagery from approximately 830pm - 1030pm

 

Preliminary summary of evening peak winds:
LOCATION                     SPEED     TIME/DATE       LAT/LON              
2 WNW CASA GRANDE            65 MPH    0845 PM 08/11   32.90N/111.79W       
RDA (PHOENIX) WILLIAMS AIR F 62 MPH    0920 PM 08/11   33.29N/111.67W       
CASA GRANDE MUNICIPAL AIRPOR 59 MPH    0855 PM 08/11   32.95N/111.77W       
4 W QUEEN CREEK              56 MPH    0922 PM 08/11   33.23N/111.72W       
4 SSE COOLIDGE               51 MPH    0835 PM 08/11   32.92N/111.51W       
2 SSE ROOSEVELT              49 MPH    0846 PM 08/11   33.64N/111.12W       
QUEEN CREEK                  48 MPH    0905 PM 08/11   33.25N/111.64W       
3 WSW APACHE JUNCTION        47 MPH    0928 PM 08/11   33.40N/111.60W       
2 WNW SANTAN                 46 MPH    0929 PM 08/11   33.17N/111.84W       
5 E SUN LAKES                46 MPH    0915 PM 08/11   33.22N/111.78W       
1 ESE APACHE JUNCTION        44 MPH    0920 PM 08/11   33.41N/111.53W       
1 WSW SAGUARO LAKE           44 MPH    0945 PM 08/11   33.56N/111.54W       
1 NE PUNKIN CENTER           44 MPH    1011 PM 08/11   33.87N/111.31W       
1 E FOUNTAIN HILLS           43 MPH    0950 PM 08/11   33.60N/111.71W       
1 ENE CAREFREE               43 MPH    1026 PM 08/11   33.83N/111.90W       
5 E DEER VALLEY              41 MPH    1000 PM 08/11   33.66N/112.02W       
1 NNW COOLIDGE               40 MPH    0922 PM 08/11   32.99N/111.53W       
7 SE AK-CHIN VILLAGE         40 MPH    0916 PM 08/11   32.94N/112.02W       
3 N HIGLEY                   40 MPH    0928 PM 08/11   33.35N/111.71W       
FOUNTAIN HILLS               39 MPH    0945 PM 08/11   33.61N/111.73W       
1 NW SAGUARO LAKE            39 MPH    0959 PM 08/11   33.58N/111.54W       
6 WNW PARADISE VALLEY        39 MPH    1012 PM 08/11   33.57N/112.05W       
HIGLEY                       38 MPH    0920 PM 08/11   33.31N/111.72W       
4 E APACHE JUNCTION          38 MPH    0928 PM 08/11   33.41N/111.47W       
7 ESE APACHE JUNCTION        38 MPH    0920 PM 08/11   33.35N/111.45W       
3 E APACHE JUNCTION          34 MPH    0929 PM 08/11   33.42N/111.49W       
2 SSW SCOTTSDALE             34 MPH    0950 PM 08/11   33.46N/111.94W       
9 WSW NEW RIVER              33 MPH    1029 PM 08/11   33.85N/112.28W       
MOUNTAIN SPRINGS GRADE       33 MPH    0850 PM 08/11   32.67N/116.09W       
5 E DEER VALLEY              33 MPH    1003 PM 08/11   33.65N/112.03W       
4 W QUEEN CREEK              33 MPH    0918 PM 08/11   33.23N/111.73W       
3 NNE ODESSA                 33 MPH    1005 PM 08/11   33.57N/112.17W       
1 NW GILBERT                 33 MPH    0928 PM 08/11   33.37N/111.81W       
5 NE TORTILLA FLAT           32 MPH    1235 AM 08/12   33.59N/111.34W       
2 NNE CHANDLER               32 MPH    0930 PM 08/11   33.33N/111.86W       
PEORIA                       31 MPH    1011 PM 08/11   33.58N/112.23W       
8 ESE CAREFREE               31 MPH    1000 PM 08/11   33.76N/111.79W       
15 WNW SUNFLOWER             31 MPH    0959 PM 08/11   33.98N/111.71W       
3 WSW GLENDALE               31 MPH    1013 PM 08/11   33.51N/112.23W       
4 W AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS      31 MPH    1014 PM 08/11   33.31N/112.14W       
5 NW APACHE JUNCTION         30 MPH    0944 PM 08/11   33.48N/111.61W       

 

Preliminary summary of evening storm reports:
..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0835 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 NW COOLIDGE AIRPORT   32.94N 111.43W
08/11/2015  M55 MPH          PINAL              AZ   AWOS            

0835 PM     TSTM WND GST     RANDOLPH                32.92N 111.51W
08/11/2015  M51 MPH          PINAL              AZ   MESONET         

0845 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 W CASA GRANDE         32.90N 111.79W
08/11/2015  M65 MPH          PINAL              AZ   MESONET         

0850 PM     TSTM WND DMG     SAN TAN VALLEY          33.17N 111.57W
08/11/2015                   PINAL              AZ   UTILITY COMPANY 

            11400 SRP CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER IN PORTIONS OF THE 
            SOUTHEAST VALLEY. WORST AREAS AFFECTED APPEAR TO BE IN 
            THE SAN TAN VALLEY. 

0851 PM     TSTM WND GST     NW CASA GRANDE          32.89N 111.74W
08/11/2015  E50 MPH          PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER REPORTED AN ESTIMATED 50 MPH WIND GUSTS AT 
            MCCARTNEY RD AND SIGNAL PEAK. POWER IS OUT. 

0855 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 NNW CASA GRANDE       32.95N 111.77W
08/11/2015  M59 MPH          PINAL              AZ   AWOS            

            0.75 MILE VISIBILITY IN BLOWING DUST 

0855 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSW PHOENIX MESA GATE 33.27N 111.69W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SEVEN DOWNED TREES IN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH TRUNK DIAMETERS 
            RANGING FROM SIX INCHES TO TWO FEET NEAR POWER ROAD AND 
            GERMANN RD. RAILROAD CROSSING ARM DAMAGED AT POWER AND 
            PECOS. 

0901 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 ESE SAN TAN MOUNTAIN  33.14N 111.62W
08/11/2015  E50 MPH          PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            STORM SPOTTER ESTIMATES PEAK WIND GUST AROUND 50 MPH. 
            WINDS OF 38 MPH WERE SUSTAINING FOR 20 MINUTES. THE 
            SPOTTER HAD NO POWER AT HER HOME. 

0901 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 W APACHE JUNCTION     33.40N 111.58W
08/11/2015  M43 MPH          PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER MEASURED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 43 MPH AT BROADWAY 
            AND MERRIDIAN 

0904 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SE TUMBLEWEED PARK    33.27N 111.82W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            AT LEAST TWO SMALL AIRCRAFT OVERTURNED AT CHANDLER 
            MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. AIR STAIRS BLOWN OVER. 

0905 PM     DUST STORM       4 E HIGLEY              33.31N 111.66W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

            0.25 MILE VISIBILITY 

0905 PM     DUST STORM       4 E HIGLEY              33.31N 111.66W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

            AT 0905 PM A VISIBILITY OF ONE EIGTH OF A MILE WAS 
            MEASURED AT MESA-GATEWAY AIRPORT -KIWA 

0906 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E QUEEN CREEK         33.23N 111.60W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            PALM TREE UPROOTED NEAR RITTENHOUSE ROAD AND OCOTILLO 
            ROAD. VISIBILITIY DOWN TO ONE QUARTER MILE IN BLOWING 
            DUST. 

0911 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 NW STANFIELD          32.94N 112.02W
08/11/2015  M40 MPH          PINAL              AZ   MESONET         

0912 PM     TSTM WND GST     SEVILLE                 33.23N 111.72W
08/11/2015  M56 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   MESONET         

0914 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 NE BAPCHULE           33.17N 111.84W
08/11/2015  M46 MPH          PINAL              AZ   MESONET         

0919 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 ENE TUMBLEWEED PARK   33.28N 111.80W
08/11/2015  E45 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER REPORTED PEAK WIND GUST OF 45 MPH. 

0919 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 E HIGLEY              33.31N 111.66W
08/11/2015  M62 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   AWOS            

            AT 0920 PM A PEAK WIND GUST OF 62 MPH WAS MEASURED AT 
            MESA-GATEWAY AIRPORT -KIWA. 

0923 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 N HIGLEY              33.35N 111.71W
08/11/2015  M40 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   MESONET         

0923 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FLORENCE JUNCTION       33.26N 111.34W
08/11/2015                   PINAL              AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            DOWNED POWER LINES OVER ROAD AT FLORENCE JUNCTION. 
            US-60 CLOSED AT MP 210. 

0924 PM     TSTM WND GST     SEVILLE                 33.23N 111.72W
08/11/2015  M41 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER MEASURED 41 MPH WINDS AT CHANDLER HEIGHTS RD 
            AND SE GILBERT 

0929 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SEVILLE                 33.23N 111.72W
08/11/2015  M0.75 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER REPORTED .75 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN LESS THAN 
            HALF AN HOUR. 

0934 PM     DUST STORM       5 WSW FOUNTAIN HILLS    33.59N 111.82W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER ESTIMATED VISIBILITY NEAR HALF A MILE. 

0934 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 E TUMBLEWEED PARK     33.27N 111.78W
08/11/2015  E40 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SPOTTER ESTIMATED 40 MPH WINDS AT GILBERT AND GERMANN. 

0938 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNW SEVILLE           33.24N 111.72W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            1 FOOT DIAMETER TREE DOWN NEAR CHANDLER HEIGHTS AND 
            HIGLEY 

0944 PM     DUST STORM       2 SSE USERY MOUNTAIN PA 33.44N 111.60W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY 

1007 PM     TSTM WND GST     9 E PEORIA              33.69N 112.08W
08/11/2015  M52 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   ASOS            

            THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST TO 52 MPH MEASURED AT DEER 
            VALLEY AIRPORT. 

1010 PM     DUST STORM       3 W WADDELL             33.59N 112.41W
08/11/2015                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            VISIBILITY OF ONE HALF TO THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE IN 
            BLOWING DUST NEAR CACTUS ROAD AND SARIVAL AVE.