Dust storm rolls through Phoenix area
Posted: Updated:




PHOENIX -- Monsoon 2014 brought a massive wall of dust into the Valley from the south Friday evening.
The dust storm grew to an estimated 50 miles wide and 3,000 feet tall, leaving a Dust Storm Warning from the National Weather Service in effect until 7 p.m.
The affected area included Phoenix, Coolidge, Casa Grande, Sacaton and portions of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande.
Motorists were urged to pull off the roadways due to reduced visibility.
The dust storm also affected some air travel. Sky Harbor International Airport said flights were still arriving and departing Friday evening, but FlightAware.com showed that all Phoenix-bound flights were held at their origins until 8 p.m. because of the low visibility.
Temperatures dropped as the winds picked up, with gusts reported at 45 mph, bringing some relief from the record-breaking heat earlier this week.
Isolated thunderstorms followed the dust in the East Valley, and gusty winds continued across the Phoenix metro area.
There were no reports of major damage from the storm, but SRP reported that about 10,000 customers had lost power. Power is expected to be restored by 10 p.m.
Outage tip: During an outage, switch off major appliances like your AC - this helps us restore power more quickly. #azmonsoon #azwx #haboob
— Salt River Project (@SRPconnect) July 26, 2014
We have about 10,500 customers without power from tonight's storm. Thx for your patience if your power is out; crews working to restore ASAP
— Salt River Project (@SRPconnect) July 26, 2014
LIVE #Monsoon2014 coverage right now on #3TV http://t.co/rJhSUeJjb7 pic.twitter.com/gq0U34rADj
— AZ Family (@azfamily) July 26, 2014
520p: Dust storm moving into south Valley. Will expand northward through 7pm. #PullAsideStayAlive #azwx http://t.co/G4otqHzziq
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 26, 2014
Dust storm Warning for metro Phoenix until 7pm
— Royal Norman (@royalnorman) July 25, 2014
Thanks to viewer Amanda Morrison in Case Grande, view of the dust coming in. pic.twitter.com/3vrOzcNcTg
— 3TV News Desk (@3tvnewsdesk) July 25, 2014
500p: Dust Storm warning until 7pm for parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties including PHX metro. #PullAsideStayAlive http://t.co/FEipJs05n1
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 26, 2014
Tstorms and hvy rain in the area of Prescott...Mtns to the west as well. Avoid travel for a few hours. #azwx pic.twitter.com/9ncZu3Ahov
— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) July 25, 2014
@NWSPhoenix zero visibility east of Stanfield road on I8 - pic.twitter.com/Vpr0NHVgwM
— Mike Olbinski (@MikeOlbinski) July 25, 2014
Seeing lots of dust SB on Hwy 347 about 5mi south of Maricopa... storm moving North. Visability dipping. #monsoon2014 pic.twitter.com/1qeabn9Uyi
— Jason Volentine (@jasonvolentine) July 25, 2014
Hail falling south of I8 on Stanfield road. Pardon my dust spots! #azwx #azchasers pic.twitter.com/GRDvSe3eB2
— Mike Olbinski (@MikeOlbinski) July 25, 2014
I10 and Riggs Rd looking north. Rain and cloud to ground lightning. #Monsoon2014 pic.twitter.com/ZFNV5vY0uh
— Jason Volentine (@jasonvolentine) July 26, 2014
so many good lightning shots tonight!! I could post 1/day for the next 6 weeks and not run out. #azwx #iphoneshot pic.twitter.com/fzBcpTLKGO
— larry reeves (@larryreeves) July 26, 2014
Plane make moves as #DustStorm moves in towards @PHXSkyHarbor. #AZwx #AZmonsoon pic.twitter.com/PKF0OFV9K2
— David Wallace (@DavidWallce) July 26, 2014
Washes flooded in Apache Junction. Exercise caution. Thanks to 3TV Viewer Nancy W for picture pic.twitter.com/eM8FX48VKz
— Royal Norman (@royalnorman) July 26, 2014
No stars over the Estrellas tonight! Steady rain falling I10 and Riggs looking west. #monsoon2014 pic.twitter.com/Vl5a2cuxsY
— Jason Volentine (@jasonvolentine) July 26, 2014