Watch: Arizona Hit by Massive Dust Storm
A surprising phenomenon swept through Arizona: a thick wall of dark dust, carried by thunderstorm winds. This event was considered a haboob, a term originating from Arabic, meaning "strong wind" or "gale." These intense storms are most common in the U.S. southwest, where Arizona is located. The state experienced a previous haboob back in August 2020, which was captured by a motorist's video.
How Common are Haboobs?
According to Peter G. Blank, a professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona, haboobs happen about 20 times a year in Phoenix. However, the storms tend to be unpredictable and differ in strength. This latest storm lasted for about 20 minutes and left a thick layer of dust across the region.
Impacts on Arizona Residents
Haboobs can be devastating events, causing power outages, infrastructural damage, and canceling flights. Luckily, this recent storm wasn't as strong as the ones Arizona sometimes sees.
People captured videos of the wall of dust sweeping across the region. Check out these videos!
