Dust storms as it approached to cover the City of Phoenix with thick dust.

Dust Storms

Thunderstorms frequently produce strong winds that can blow loose sand and dirt from the ground, causing a large wall of dust and debris, or a dust storm.

Dust storms (also called “haboobs”) are unexpected, unpredictable and can sweep across Arizona's desert landscape at any time. Dust storms can be miles long and thousands of feet high. You can endure these brief but powerful windstorms if you know how to react. 

Dust storms can reduce visibility to near zero in seconds, resulting in deadly, multi-vehicle accidents on roadways.   They are more common in the early part of the monsoon, near agricultural areas, and near Willcox Playa in Cochise County. Use caution in these areas any time thunderstorms are nearby. 

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a dust storm hazard:

  • Dust Storm Watch—Tells you when and where dust storms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.
  • Dust Storm Warning—Issued when visibility is 1/2 mile or less due to blowing dust or sand, and wind speeds of 30 miles an hour or more.

  • Pull off! Lights off! Foot off!
    • If you encounter a dust storm while driving, pull off the road immediately.
    • Turn off your headlights and taillights, put your vehicle in "Park," and take your foot off the brake (so your brake lights are not illuminated.) Other motorists may tend to follow taillights in an attempt to get through the dust storm, and may strike your vehicle from behind. 
    • Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass. 
  • Dust storms usually last a few minutes and up to an hour at most. Stay where you are until the dust storm passes.
  • Avoid driving into or through a dust storm. If you encounter a dust storm:
    • Immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
    • Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway -- do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
    • Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
  • Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.

  • Follow instructions from the National Weather Service about additional hazardous conditions that may be expected.