We had a huge, gigantic dust storm (or “Haboob” in Arabic) hit the Phoenix area last night. TV stations reported that it was 7000 feet high, and 50 miles wide. It came into the city like a huge wall, almost a tsunami of dust. One minute the sun was shining, and the next it was night with visibility less than 100 feet. Dust storms are common — we usually get a few each summer, but this was the largest I ever remember seeing.
Old-timers say that the summer thunderstorms start after 3 dust storms. I think this one might count as 3 all by itself!
Wow! That looks wild. Reminds me of the movie Hidalgo. Do they shut down Sky Harbor Whem this happens? Does dust get on houses?
Comment by Dale — July 6, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
“in”
Comment by Dale — July 6, 2011 @ 1:43 pm
Yes, they did shut down Sky Harbor airport, for an hour or so.
Lots of dust came into our house, mainly through the dog door until we closed it. Apollo didn’t like the storm. He whined more than he does during a thunderstorm, though he seemed to feel better once we sealed his door so not so much dust was coming in.
Comment by Daryl — July 6, 2011 @ 2:33 pm
Aww, I wanted to blog about the haboob. You beat me to it. It was wild, was it not? I didn’t get my house sealed up, so there is a layer of dust on EVERYTHING!! I know what I’ll be doing this weekend. 🙁
Comment by Donna — July 6, 2011 @ 6:06 pm
The amazing thing was it went from Queen Creek to Peoria. The entire valley was enveloped in dust. It originated in Tucson but picked up great intensity and a ton of dust on its way northwest.
By the way, the National Weather Service said it reached up to 10,000 feet high.
Comment by Donna — July 6, 2011 @ 6:10 pm
Sorry Donna, I was afraid you would beat me, but I win!
Notice about half way through the video above is a link to a time-lapse video. It is excellent.
The first half of the time lapse, by the way, was done by Mike Olbinski, who I used to play basketball with.
Comment by Daryl — July 6, 2011 @ 7:04 pm
For some reason your imbedded video does not work for me, but I have seen videos and time lapse series on the internet. I’ve never seen anything like that! It reminds me of the kind of dust storms you see in the Middle East and in China.
Comment by Richard — July 7, 2011 @ 5:57 am
Mom said it didn’t go as far east as her apartment.
Comment by Daryl — July 7, 2011 @ 9:28 am
It was farther east than Spring of Life church and that is at Crismon & Southern, so I know Mom got it. She is just protected in her apartment complex and doesn’t notice as much weather as we do.
Comment by Donna — July 7, 2011 @ 9:45 am
Amazing. I remember the dust storms but I don’t recall ever seeing one that big.
Comment by Don — July 7, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
I apologize! Wish I had seen it. I am in an apartment building, surrounded on east, west, above, below and behind (South) with other apartments. My only two windows which face north. I have asked several of my neighbors, and only one knew of it until it was over. No dust came in; the place is new and well sealed from dust. I feel very blessed and safe.
Comment by Mom — July 8, 2011 @ 12:21 pm
Now, everyone needs to check for Valley Fever. Dust like this must be full of spores. I’m sneezing more than I have earlier this spring and summer.
There can be a residual problem with something this large.
Comment by Mom — July 9, 2011 @ 10:55 pm