Arizona Watcher
High winds and blowing dust that hit Phoenix Monday night could return for a second consecutive night Tuesday, and residents were warned to secure outdoor items.
Monday’s storms produced gusts over 40 mph and locally reduced visibility to less than two miles, leaving parts of the city shrouded in dust.
Drivers encountered markedly diminished sight lines as gusts churned through neighborhoods and along major corridors, making travel hazardous.
Officials advised homeowners and renters to fold up and stash lawn furniture and other unsecured items to reduce the risk of them being carried by gusts.
Arizona State University rated the Monday night event Category 5 on its Phoenix Dust Storm Scale — the fifth such event in 16 years — lasting 15 hours with peak PM10 above 6,000 μg/m³.
The National Weather Service issued a Dust Advisory for Maricopa County that expired at 11:46 PM MST on Aug 3, 2026, and urged motorists to pull off the road if visibility collapses and avoid travel if possible.
High winds and dust that buffeted the Phoenix area Monday night — producing gusts over 40 mph and reducing visibility below 2 miles in some locations — could return for a second consecutive night on Tuesday. Residents were advised to fold up and stash lawn furniture as the…