A cold front with strong to very strong winds moved across northern Arizona.  The strongest winds were observed over the White Mountains,  the Little Colorado River Valley,  the Hopi Nation and the Navajo Nation.  The winds frequently gusted into the 50 MPH range and a few gusts into the 60 MPH range were observed.  Several locations reported near zero visibility in blowing dust and sand.

High Wind in WHITE MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 08:10:00 to 15-APR-09 15:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Show Low Airport reported peak wind gusts just over 70 MPH.

Dust Storm in LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN NAVAJO COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 11:20:00 to 15-APR-09 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter near the Apache/Navajo County line about 10 miles south of the Petrified Forest National Park reported zero visibility in blowing dust.

Dust Storm in NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 264, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 12:50:00 to 15-APR-09 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Police in Dilkon reported visibility between 50 yards and 1/2 mile in blowing dust.

High Wind in LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN NAVAJO COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 07:27:00 to 15-APR-09 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gusts as high as 63 MPH were recorded at the Winslow Airport.  Significant blowing dust was also reported.

High Wind in LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN APACHE COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 13:30:00 to 15-APR-09 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The St Johns Airport reported a peak wind gust of 59 MPH.

High Wind in WESTERN MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 10:50:00 to 15-APR-09 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Flagstaff Airport recorded peak wind gusts to 58 MPH.

High Wind in CHINLE VALLEY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 04:00:00 to 15-APR-09 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The wind gusts in the Chinle Valley were estimated at 59 MPH.

Dust Storm in LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN APACHE COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 11:20:00 to 15-APR-09 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter near the Apache/Navajo County line about 10 miles south of the Petrified Forest National Park reported zero visibility in blowing dust.

High Wind in EASTERN MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 08:10:00 to 15-APR-09 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Show Low Airport reported peak wind gusts up to 72 MPH.

High Wind in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 12:30:00 to 15-APR-09 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Window Rock ASOS reported a peak wind gusts to 59 MPH.  Blowing dust reduced the visibility to less than one mile. A restaurant sign blew off its pedestal in Window Rock, crushed an SUV,  and injured a couple who had stopped for lunch. One person, in critical condition,  was taken to a local health service center then transported to Phoenix once the winds died down and it was safe to fly.

High Wind in LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 07:25:00 to 15-APR-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gusts were estimated to near 60 MPH across the Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County based on nearby ASOS and reports of significant blowing dust.

Dust Storm in LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 08:30:00 to 15-APR-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters in Cameron reported one mile visibility in blowing dust.  Police in Tuba City reported less than one mile visibility in blown dust. Interstate 40 was closed from around 1000 AM to 400 PM MST from near Meteor Crater to just west of Winslow due to the strong winds and blowing dust.

Dust Storm in CHINLE VALLEY, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 08:00:00 to 15-APR-09 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The visibility down to one mile in blowing dust was common across the Chinle Valley. The visibility dropped down to as low as 4 feet in the community of Many Farms early in the day (840 AM).  Drivers were waiting for the dust to clear along side roads.

High Wind in NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 264, ARIZONA
From 15-APR-09 11:00:00 to 15-APR-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The peak wind gusts were estimated to be between 60 and 65 MPH based on nearby Mesonet sites.