July 3, 2014 - Major Dust Storm across Phoenix

July 3 2014: Dust Storm across the Phoenix area
Widespread gusty winds and blowing dust

Updated: 11 pm MST 6 July 2014

Dust storm as seen from NWS Phoenix office. Credit: Charlotte Dewey

The first major event of the 2014 Monsoon took place during the afternoon and evening hours of 3 July 2014. Following a gradual increase in moisture across the region, storms developed in the mountains north/east/south of the Phoenix metro area around mid afternoon. Most of the storms dissipated as they descended from the mountains (due to a marginally stable layer of air over the deserts in the lowest 10000ft of the atmosphere), but two outflow boundaries pushed out into the lower deserts. The first boundary originated from Payson to Globe and brought isolated blowing dust and ~30mph winds to Gold Canyon and Apache Junction. The second, stronger boundary, originated in southern Pinal County and was responsible for the dust storm to affect the Phoenix area. There were numerous reports of near zero visibility within the dust storm along with winds around 50 mph.

Click each image for a larger version

	Base velocity imagery from KIWA radar at approximately 615 PM MST. Note the appearance of a large outflow boundary stretching from north of Fountain Hills to Florence, with a secondary boundary near Casa Grande and Eloy. The boundaries originated from separate clusters of thunderstorms, but were both traveling toward the Phoenix metro area.
	Base velocity imagery from KIWA radar at approximately 700 PM MST. Outflow winds had moved through portions of the East Valley as well as Scottsdale and Fountain Hills by 7pm, however visibilities remained around 10 miles or greater. Meanwhile the boundary to the south was becoming more evident on radar. Note the area of strong winds indicated around 40+ kts southwest of Queen Creek. These winds were located around 3000ft above the surface.
	Base velocity imagery from KIWA radar at approximately 730 PM MST. At this point the leading edge of the wall of dust stretched from Apache Junction to Chandler and Ahwatukee. The observation at Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport from 722pm MST indicated visibilities had dropped to ZERO, along with sustained winds around 30 mph/gusts to 50 mph.
	Base velocity imagery from KIWA radar at approximately 800 PM MST. By 8pm, the dust storm was located over downtown Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport. The dust had also moved into Scottsdale. Sky Harbor reported visibilities around 1 mile along with a gust to 56 mph.
	Loop of Base Velocity images from 6pm - 9pm MST showing the progression of the dust storm through the Phoenix metro area. Note: Animated GIF is ~11mb.
	Loop of Base Reflectivity images from 6pm - 9pm MST showing the progression of the dust storm through the Phoenix metro area. Showers and thunderstorms developed over the west valley as the dust storm collided with a southbound outflow boundary stretching from Cave Creek to Surprise. Note: Animated GIF is ~13mb.
	An experimental dust sensor in East Mesa utilizing Raspberry Pi and Arduino technology captured the dust storm around 7:35pm. Note the sharp rise in PM2.5 readings. Values remained elevated for nearly 40 minutes before tapering off around 8:15pm.

While they do not occur every day, dust storms are fairly common across the lower deserts during the Monsoon. Nonetheless, they do make for an impressive display especially around sunset. Below are selected images from around the Phoenix area Thursday evening.

Click each image for a larger view


Dust storm in Ahwatukee. Credit: Karen Magnoni	Dust storm in East Mesa. Credit: Ken Waters


Dust storm from north-central Phoenix. Credit: ADEQ	Dust storm arriving in downtown Phoenix. Credit: ADEQ	Dust storm over the east valley. Credit: ADEQ

Credit: Facebook - Brandon Holloway	Credit: Facebook - Bryan Snider	Credit: Facebook - Monika Snider

Rainfall was generally relegated to the western half of the Phoenix metropolitan area with total amounts mostly under one half inch. However, there were a few lucky isolated locations that received in excess of one inch of rain in the far west valley. Here are some maps of rainfall amounts from these storms (click on either map for a larger version).

Below is a list of peak wind gusts and storm reports received by our office during this event:

LOCATION                                        24 HR PEAK WIND GUST (MPH)                                                        
PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT                                       56
SCOTTSDALE AIRPORT                                               36
PHOENIX-DEER VALLEY AIRPORT                                      44
PHOENIX-MESA GATEWAY                                             52
CHANDLER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT                                       40
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE                                              52
CASA GRANDE MUNICIPAL                                            36
GLENDALE MUNICIPAL                                               36
GOODYEAR MUNICIPAL                                               29


 ..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
 ..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
             ..REMARKS..
 
 0617 PM     DUST STORM       5 NE SAN TAN VALLEY     33.23N 111.52W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0621 PM     DUST STORM       CASA GRANDE             32.89N 111.74W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 VSBY AT I-10 AND I-8 INTERSECTION 
 
 0628 PM     DUST STORM       2 NNE CASA GRANDE       32.93N 111.73W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 TO 0.5 MI. VSBY. ON I-8 
 
 0641 PM     DUST STORM       2 WSW GILA BEND         32.94N 112.71W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0645 PM     DUST STORM       1 WSW COOLIDGE          32.97N 111.55W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0648 PM     DUST STORM       2 WSW GILA BEND         32.94N 112.71W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.1 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0658 PM     DUST STORM       3 WNW COTTON CENTER     33.10N 112.71W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.0 TO 0.5 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0713 PM     DUST STORM       COOLIDGE                32.98N 111.53W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.25 VSBY. 
 
 0715 PM     DUST STORM       QUEEN CREEK             33.24N 111.64W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   PUBLIC          
 
             LESS THAN 0.1 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0718 PM     DUST STORM       SEVILLE                 33.23N 111.72W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.5 VSBY. OUTFLOW BOUNDARY WIND GUST MEASURED 53 MPH 
 
 0719 PM     DUST STORM       4 SSE TUMBLEWEED PARK   33.22N 111.80W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.1 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0720 PM     DUST STORM       1 NNW SEVILLE           33.24N 111.72W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.5 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0721 PM     DUST STORM       1 NNW SEVILLE           33.24N 111.72W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0722 PM     DUST STORM       4 E SUN LAKES           33.21N 111.80W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             VSBY. 0.1 TO 0.25 MI. 
 
 0729 PM     DUST STORM       2 SSW PHOENIX MESA GATE 33.27N 111.69W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0730 PM     DUST STORM       2 W APACHE JUNCTION     33.40N 111.58W
 07/03/2014                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             O.1 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0731 PM     DUST STORM       4 ESE SUPERSTITION SPRI 33.37N 111.62W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0737 PM     DUST STORM       1 SE AHWATUKEE          33.31N 111.99W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.1 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0740 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 1 NNW SEVILLE           33.24N 111.72W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             FIVE 12 IN. DIAMETER TREES DOWN IN SE GILBERT 
 
 0741 PM     DUST STORM       2 SSE AHWATUKEE         33.30N 111.99W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0752 PM     DUST STORM       TEMPE                   33.39N 111.93W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.1 MI. VSBY AT MILL AND SOUTHERN 
 
 0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NE DOWNTOWN PHOENIX   33.47N 112.04W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             ROOF AND SHINGLE DAMAGE NEAR MCDOWELL AND SR 51 
 
 0801 PM     DUST STORM       2 N FOUNTAIN HILLS      33.63N 111.74W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. ON HWY. 87 BEELINE 
 
 0808 PM     DUST STORM       2 NW ARIZONA STATE FAIR 33.50N 112.12W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LESS THAN 0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0811 PM     DUST STORM       GLENDALE                33.54N 112.19W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY 
 
 0815 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG PHOENIX                 33.54N 112.07W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   BROADCAST MEDIA 
 
             PALM TREE DOWN VAN BUREN AND 2ND ST. 
 
 0817 PM     DUST STORM       3 NNW ARIZONA STATE FAI 33.51N 112.12W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. AND EST. G 40-50 MPH 
 
 0821 PM     DUST STORM       3 SSW TOLLESON          33.41N 112.28W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0828 PM     DUST STORM       2 SW METRO CENTER       33.55N 112.14W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0830 PM     DUST STORM       3 W WADDELL             33.59N 112.41W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.1 MI. VSBY. 
 
 0830 PM     HEAVY RAIN       1 SE SURPRISE           33.64N 112.33W
 07/03/2014  M1.50 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             MEASURED 1.5 INCH RAIN IN 45 MIN. CURB TO CURB 
             FLOODING. 
 
 0836 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 NNW WADDELL           33.62N 112.37W
 07/03/2014  E1.00 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             STREET FLOODED AND RUNNING CURB TO CURB... EST. 4 TO 6 
             IN. DEEP. 
 
 0845 PM     DUST STORM       3 SSW BEARDSLEY         33.64N 112.42W
 07/03/2014                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             0.25 MI. VSBY. AND EST. WND GUST 40-50 MPH. 
 
 0925 PM     TSTM WND GST     WICKENBURG              33.97N 112.75W
 07/03/2014  M45 MPH          MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             DRY LIGHTNING

There were some areas of the Phoenix metro that received their first measurable rainfall since early March. Most of the showers were confined to the west valley although a few locations in the foothills east of Phoenix received rain.
Phoenix Sky Harbor only received a Trace of rainfall with this event. This means the dry streak of 123 days continues as of July 3.


...PHOENIX AND SURROUNDING AREAS RAINFALL REPORTS AS OF 4 AM MST 4 JULY 2014...

                                                      RAINFALL (IN)
LOCATION                                              1 HR     24 HR
SKY HARBOR AIRPORT             PHOENIX                0.00      T

ACDC @ 67TH AVE.               GLENDALE               0.00      0.51
ADOBE DAM                      PHOENIX                0.00      0.08
AGUA FRIA @ BUCKEYE            MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04
AGUA FRIA @ GRAND AVE.         EL MIRAGE              0.00      0.43 
BELMONT MOUNTAINS              MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.87 
BENDER WASH                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04 
BLACK MOUNTAIN                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.31 
BOX WASH                       MARICOPA COUNTY        0.04      0.63 
BUCKEYE @ 75TH AVE.            TOLLESON               0.00      0.04 
BUCKEYE FRS #2                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.67 
BUCKEYE FRS #3                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.35 
BUCKEYE RD. @ SR 85            MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
BULLARD @ INDIAN SCHOOL        GOODYEAR               0.00      0.04 
BUTLER PARK                    GLENDALE               0.00      0.08 
CAMP CREEK                     MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04 
CAP @ 163RD AVE.               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
CASANDRO DAM                   WICKENBURG             0.00      0.43 
CASANDRO WASH                  WICKENBURG             0.00      0.79 
CASTLE HOT SPRINGS             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
CENTENNIAL @ WENDEN            LA PAZ COUNTY          0.00      0.04 
CENTENNIAL LEVEE               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.24 
CENTENNIAL NR AGUILA           MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      1.06 
CENTENNIAL WASH                MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.12 
CHANDLER @ ALMA SCHOOL         CHANDLER               0.00      0.87 
CIRCLE CITY                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
CITY OF GLENDALE               GLENDALE               0.00      0.12 
COLTER @ EL MIRAGE             PHOENIX                0.00      0.31 
CONSTELLATION ROAD             WICKENBURG             0.00      0.12 
COYOTE WASH                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.12 
DAGGS WASH                     MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      1.26 
DEAD HORSE WASH                MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
DELANEY WASH                   MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.59 
DURANGO COMPLEX                PHOENIX                0.00      0.04 
DYSART @ BELL RD.              SURPRISE               0.00      0.87 
DYSART DRAIN @ LAFB            MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.47 
EAGLE EYE RD. @ CAP            MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.16 
EL MIRAGE DRAIN                MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.59 
EMF @ ARIZONA AVE.             PINAL COUNTY           0.00      0.16 
FIG SPRINGS                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.28 
FLORENCE JUNCTION              PINAL COUNTY           0.00      0.04 
FLYING E TANK                  MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.83 
FLYING E WASH                  WICKENBURG             0.00      1.22 
FORD CANYON WASH               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.83 
FOUR MILE WASH                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.63 
G&F WOOLSEY PEAK               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
GILA @ MARICOPA RD             GILA RIVER IC          0.00      0.04 
GILA @ OLBERG                  GILA RIVER IC          0.00      0.28 
GILA BEND LANDFILL             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
GLADDEN                        MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.12 
GRAND @ 27TH AVE.              PHOENIX                0.00      0.47 
GRAND @ PEORIA AVE.            PEORIA                 0.00      0.28 
GRASS WASH @ US 60             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.43 
GUADALUPE CHANNEL              MESA                   0.00      0.47 
HARQUAHALA FRS                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.12 
HARQUAHALA MTN.                LA PAZ COUNTY          0.08      0.24 
HARTMAN WASH                   MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.98 
HASSY R. @ BOX CANYON          YAVAPAI COUNTY         0.08      0.08 
HASSY R. @ US 60               WICKENBURG             0.00      0.35 
JACKRABBIT WASH                MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.63 
JEFFERSON @ 4TH AVE.           PHOENIX                0.00      0.31 
LAKE PLEASANT NORTH            PEORIA                 0.00      0.20 
MARICOPA MOUNTAINS             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.24 
MARYLAND @ 27TH AVE.           PHOENIX                0.00      0.12 
MARYVALE MUNI GOLF             PHOENIX                0.00      0.08 
MCDOWELL MTN. PARK             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.12 
MCMICKEN DAM                   SURPRISE               0.00      0.12 
MCMICKEN DAM SOUTH             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.35 
MCMICKEN FLOODWAY              MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
MOBILE                         MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.16 
MORRISTOWN                     MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
NARROWS DAMSITE                LA PAZ COUNTY          0.00      0.51 
NEW RIVER @ BELL RD.           PEORIA                 0.00      0.47 
NEW RIVER @ GLENDALE           GLENDALE               0.00      0.28 
NEW RIVER DAM                  PEORIA                 0.00      0.04 
NEW RIVER FIRE                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
NEW RIVER LANDFILL             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.16 
NW REGIONAL LANDFILL           MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.43 
OUTLAW HILL                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
PATTON ROAD                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
PECOS BASIN                    MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04 
PIMA @ JOMAX                   SCOTTSDALE             0.00      0.04 
POWDER HOUSE WASH              WICKENBURG             0.00      0.08 
RACKENSACK CANYON              MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04 
RAINBOW WASH                   MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
RAWHIDE WASH                   SCOTTSDALE             0.00      0.12 
REATA PASS DAM                 SCOTTSDALE             0.00      0.12 
ROESER @ 2ND ST.               PHOENIX                0.00      0.16 
SADDLEBACK FRS                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.16 
SALT R. @ PRIEST DR.           TEMPE                  0.00      0.12 
SALT RIVER @ 67TH AVE.         PHOENIX                0.00      0.08 
SAND TANK @ I-8                GILA BEND              0.00      0.04 
SANTA CRUZ @ SR 84             PINAL COUNTY           0.00      0.28 
SANTA ROSA @ SR 84             PINAL COUNTY           0.00      0.39 
SEVEN SPRINGS WASH             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.04      0.43 
SKUNK CR. NR NEW R.            MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04 
SMITH PEAK                     LA PAZ COUNTY          0.00      0.31 
SOLS TANK                      YAVAPAI COUNTY         0.00      0.51 
SOUTH MOUNTAIN FAN             PHOENIX                0.00      0.16 
SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK            PHOENIX                0.00      0.16 
SOUTH MTN.PARK HQ              PHOENIX                0.00      0.17 
SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN             MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.20 
SUN CITY WEST                  SUN CITY WEST          0.00      0.28 
SUN VALLEY @ NORTHERN          BUCKEYE                0.00      0.20 
SUNNYCOVE FRS                  WICKENBURG             0.00      0.55 
SUNSET POINT                   YAVAPAI COUNTY         0.00      0.12 
TAT MOMOLIKOT DAM              PINAL COUNTY           0.00      0.04 
THOMAS @ 16TH ST.              PHOENIX                0.00      0.04 
TIGER WASH                     MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.35 
TIGER WASH FAN                 MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.35 
TUTHILL @ RAY RD.              MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.31 
TWIN PEAKS                     MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.24 
UPPER GRASS WASH               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.39 
UPPER TIGER WASH               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.43 
UPPER WATERMAN WASH            MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.04 
VEKOL WASH                     MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.12 
VULTURE MINE ROAD              MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.83 
WATERMAN @ RAINBOW             GOODYEAR               0.00      0.28 
WEBB MOUNTAIN                  MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
WHITE TANK FRS 3               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
WHITE TANK FRS 4               MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08 
WHITE TANK PEAK                MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.35 
WICKENBURG AIRPORT             WICKENBURG             0.04      0.87 
WINTERS WASH                   MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.35 
WITTMANN                       MARICOPA COUNTY        0.00      0.08