The Phoenix, Arizona, area was hit today by a large dust storm, also known as a haboob, as thunderstorms associated with the annual southwest monsoon popped up in northwest Mexico and parts of Arizona. It prompted weather warnings as wind gusts of 50 mph lofted dust high into the air.
Here's something you don't see very often! Sky 12 caught lightning in front of a #duststorm in #Phoenix #12news #azwx pic.twitter.com/PpguoKoL1y— Matthew Pace (@DrMatt12News) August 11, 2015
#BanjoImages: Phoenix blasted with a huge #DustStorm this morning http://t.co/2bqhexgzqb (Video: @huymarc) #Monsoon pic.twitter.com/d2zjswSnQZ— Banjo (@banjo) August 11, 2015
The storms reportedly knocked out power to around 8,000 residents across the area. Delays were also reported at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport as visibility was reduced to near zero.
LIVE NOW: #DustStorm Warning in #Phoenix, #Arizona...zero visibility. #PullAsideStayAlive #AZwx #dust pic.twitter.com/GekDQaq1ue— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 11, 2015
Haboobs typically occur when strong winds rushing out from an area of showers and thunderstorms picks up desert dust and pushes it forward, out ahead of the actual rain from the storm. The name haboob stems from the Arabic word for wind, as the storms are common in desert areas of the Middle East.
This is the typical time of year when haboobs occur in the Southwest, as moisture moves northeastward from Gulf of California, leading to scattered showers and thunderstorms.
#BREAKING Warning issued as storms move into Valley; watch live video. http://t.co/qcoZkr7hpF pic.twitter.com/oypx25F6m4— azcentral (@azcentral) August 11, 2015
#duststorm it is shaking my car in the parking lot at Tatum and 101!!!! pic.twitter.com/7OftBj5h5x— Bella (@Bellas_Pets) August 11, 2015