Thunderstorms developed across the central and eastern Arizona mountains during the afternoon hours on July 29th, and they proceeded to move southwest and into the south-central deserts during the evening hours. The stronger storms produced very strong and gusty outflow winds, measured at times to be well in excess of 50 mph. The winds stirred up significant amounts of dust and dirt which led to an evening dust storm; the most significant blowing dust occurred over the central deserts however dust storm conditions were also observed over portions of the greater Phoenix area. Numerous trained weather spotters in locations such as Casa Grande, Ak-Chin and Maricopa reported visibilities to near zero visibility in dense blowing dust. Although the dense blowing dust created a serious driving hazard, there were no serious accidents or injuries reported as a result of the dust storm.

Dust Storm in CENTRAL DESERTS, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-16 19:00:00 to 29-JUL-16 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorms developed over the central and eastern Arizona mountains during the afternoon hours on July 29th, and they moved into the central deserts during the evening hours, bringing gusty winds in excess of 50 mph. The strong wind blowing across the desert floor created a significant dust storm; there were numerous reports from the public and trained spotters of dense blowing dust with visibility at or below one quarter of a mile in dense blowing dust. One of the first reports came at 1913MST from a trained spotter 7 miles southeast of Queen Creek of a dust storm with visibility below 1/4 mile. At 1926MST a trained spotter 1 mile south of Coolidge reported visibility at 200 yards in dense blowing dust. Soon after, at 1933MST a trained spotter 1 mile northeast of Arizona City reported visibility at 50 yards in a dust storm. Finally, at 1950MST a member of the public 2 miles northwest of Santan reported visibility at zero miles in dense dust. A Dust Storm Warning was issued at 1928MST and was in effect until 2100MST.

Dust Storm in SOUTHWEST MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-16 21:15:00 to 29-JUL-16 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorms moved southwestward from the greater Phoenix area and across the deserts of southwest Maricopa County during the evening hours on July 29th. The stronger storms produced gusty outflow winds well in excess of 50 mph and in fact peak gusts near Gila Bend reached near 90 mph shortly after the dust storm was reported. The gusty winds picked up significant amounts of dust and created dust storm conditions with near zero visibility and at 2121MST a trained spotter 1 mile northeast of Gila Bend reported visibility below one quarter mile in a dust storm. A Dust Storm Warning was issued at 2132MST and it remained in effect until 2300MST. Fortunately no accidents or injuries were reported due to the dense blowing dust.

Dust Storm in GREATER PHOENIX AREA, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-16 19:30:00 to 29-JUL-16 21:10:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorms developed across the central and eastern mountains during the afternoon hours on July 29th and they moved into the south central deserts during the evening hours. The stronger storms generated strong gusty outflow winds in excess of 50 mph which, as they moved across the desert floor, picked up significant amounts of dust and created dust storm conditions. Although the most significant blowing dust occurred to the southeast of central Phoenix, dust storm conditions were observed to the northwest of central Phoenix. At 1941MST at trained weather spotter 2 miles southwest of Beardsley reported visibility less than one eighth of a mile in a dust storm. A Dust Storm Warning was issued for the greater Phoenix area beginning at 1943MST and it was cancelled at 2041MST. Despite the cancellation of the warning, dust storm conditions persisted past 2100MST; a trained spotter 1 mile east of the town of Wittmann reported visibility down to 600 feet in a dust storm at 2105MST.