Haboob Sweeps Through Central Arizona on August 26, 2025

Phoenix, AZ, August 26, 2025 (AP)-A powerful haboob-a sudden, wall-like dust storm driven by thunderstorm outflows-raced across central Maricopa County Tuesday evening, catching motorists off guard and prompting multiple weather and travel advisories.

Shortly after 6:30 PM MST, radars detected a line of severe monsoon storms developing west of Phoenix. Strong downdrafts blew ahead of the storms, lifting vast clouds of desert dust and reducing visibility to near zero along major highways.

By 7 PM, the Arizona Department of Transportation closed southbound lanes of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande and issued speed restrictions on northbound Interstate 17 after drivers reported completely obscured road conditions. State troopers assisted stranded vehicles and urged drivers to pull off the roadway, activate hazard lights, and remain inside their cars until the dust wall passed.

The National Weather Service logged wind gusts up to 48 mph ahead of the dust front, typical of outflow-driven haboobs, and issued a Wind and Dust Advisory for Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties valid until 11 PM MST. Air quality monitors indicated a rapid spike in coarse particulate levels (PM₁₀), triggering a temporary Air Quality Alert for sensitive groups, particularly those with asthma and COPD.

Schools and outdoor events in Phoenix and surrounding suburbs experienced delays and early closures as officials prioritized public safety. Several flight departures from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were briefly grounded due to the sudden drop in visibility.

As the dust cloud advanced northeastward, it left behind dramatically reddened sunsets and a milky haze in daylight but posed significant respiratory and traffic hazards. By midnight, the haboob had weakened, easing visibility and allowing reopened highways and resumed operations under clear skies.

What Is a Haboob? A haboob forms when collapsing thunderstorms generate strong outflow winds that lift loose soil into a dense, low-lying wall of dust. The term originates from the Arabic word for “blowing,” and such storms are common during the North American monsoon season in the U.S. Southwest. Though visually striking, haboobs can cause dangerous driving conditions and aggravate respiratory ailments.

Officials remind residents to monitor the latest forecasts and air quality reports during monsoon season and to seek shelter indoors when dust advisories are in effect. continuous weather updates are available via the National Weather Service and local media outlets.