A powerful haboob swept through Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday, bringing a towering wall of dust that darkened the sky, blinded drivers, and left tens of thousands without power. The storm, which originated from the south-east, was followed by heavy rain, wind, and lightning, causing delays and minor damage at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Bernae Boykin Hitesman, driving her children home in Arizona City, was forced to pull over as visibility dropped to near zero. 'I couldn't see my hand in front of my face,' she said, describing the rattling of her car and the taste of dust. Richard Filley, a retired professor in Gilbert, noted fine dust seeping into his home and trees swaying violently.
The National Weather Service reported that haboobs are spawned by thunderstorms with downdrafts reaching 50-80 mph (80-129 km/h), stirring up loose dust from arid areas and farmlands. Meteorologist Sean Benedict explained that the storms can travel up to 100 miles if conditions are favourable, particularly along a dust corridor between Phoenix and Tucson.
Climate scientists note that monsoons have intensified since the 1970s due to human-caused climate change, while droughts have lengthened. This combination may increase the likelihood of future dust storms, though specific conditions are required. The storm comes shortly after similar conditions at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, where dust storms and high winds disrupted camping.
