Arizona Watcher
A severe dust storm swept through the Phoenix metro overnight, pushing air pollution readings to more than 14 times normal on Tuesday and leaving elevated particulate levels into the afternoon.
The storm formed a brown, advancing wall that sharply reduced visibility, coated neighborhoods in dust, and left a persistent haze and film on surfaces into the day.
Motorists, including a school bus, encountered the advancing dust and slowed with headlights on as sightlines were limited, creating hazardous travel conditions across the Valley.
State air-quality monitors recorded a sudden, widespread spike in particulate concentrations across multiple sites; ADEQ meteorologist Michael Graves spoke with local media about the deterioration.
The overnight event was rated Category 5 on the PHX‑DUST scale for extreme particulate levels; ADEQ issued a High Pollution Advisory that remained in effect into the evening.
The advisory urged sensitive groups to avoid or limit outdoor exertion, keep medications accessible, stay indoors with windows closed, and reduce indoor particle sources like cooking or wood burning.
A powerful dust storm that moved through the Phoenix metropolitan area overnight pushed air pollution readings to more than 14 times normal Tuesday and lingered into the afternoon. Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental…