Strong thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours across the central deserts, to the southeast of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The storms produced strong gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph which spread to the northwest and created dust storm conditions. Dense blowing dust overspread northwest Pinal county as well as the greater Phoenix area; many trained weather spotters reported visibilities at or below one quarter mile between 4 pm and 7 pm. A few storms also produced locally heavy rain with peak rain rates in excess of one inch per hour.

Dust Storm in CENTRAL DESERTS, ARIZONA
From 06-SEP-12 16:15:00 to 06-SEP-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong thunderstorms developed to the south and southwest of Casa Grande during the afternoon hours on September 2, and the storms produced gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph. The winds spread to the north and stirred up considerable dust and dirt, creating dust storm conditions. The most significant blowing dust occurred from Coolidge and Casa Grande westward to the Maricopa county line. At 415 pm, a trained weather spotter just west of Coolidge reported visibility less than one quarter mile in dense blowing dust. In the early evening, at 545 pm, another spotter  2 miles west of Kings Ranch reported visibility down to one quarter mile in a dust storm. The dense blowing dust created very hazardous driving conditions during the latter portion of the rush hour. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries were reported due to the dust storm.

Dust Storm in GREATER PHOENIX AREA, ARIZONA
From 06-SEP-12 16:50:00 to 06-SEP-12 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong thunderstorms developed to the south and southwest of Casa Grande during the afternoon hours on September 6th. The storms generated strong, gusty ouflow winds in excess of 40 mph which spread to the north and into the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The winds stirred up significant amounts of dust and dirt, which produced a dust storm. The dust storm spread north across the greater Phoenix area from about 5 pm through 7 pm. At 524 pm, a trained weather spotter 3 miles east of the Mesa Riverview Mall reported visibility below one quarter mile in a dust storm. Another trained spotter 4 miles southwest of Wittmann reported similar conditions in a dust storm at 543 pm. The dense blowing dust created very hazardous driving conditions in the Phoenix area during the latter portion of the rush hour. Fortunately, no serious accidents or injuries were reported as a result of the dust storm.

Heavy Rain in PINAL, ARIZONA
From 06-SEP-12 16:45:00 to 06-SEP-12 18:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: STANFIELD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms developed across portions of western Pinal county during the late afternoon hours on September 6th. A few of the storms produced locally heavy rain with peak rain rates in excess of 2 inches per hour. At 502 pm, a trained weather spotter 8 miles southwest of the Ak-Chin Village measured 0.53 inches of rain in a 15 minute period. Although no serious flooding issues were reported with the heavy rain, a Flood Advisory was issued at 445 pm for west central Pinal county, primarily for the area from the town of Maricopa eastward to Sacaton. The heavy rain caused area washes to run, as well as ponding of water on roads and normally dry areas.