Converging dust storms temporarily closed a portion of I-10
A portion of Interstate 10 was closed in Arizona on Sunday after two dust storms converged to create one serious road hazard.
The incident occurred on August 16th in the greater Phoenix area during a record breaking heat wave.
According to Fox News, just after the city reached 115 ‘F, beating the previous record of 113 ‘F, a thunderstorm formed over the city, developing winds that triggered the two hazardous dust storms.
Not everyday we can watch two dusty outflows collide south of downtown Phoenix from our office cam. #azwx pic.twitter.com/UrSk7YiKdA
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 17, 2020
By 6 p.m., a “wall of dust” could be seen moving south across the city, lowering visibility to zero miles at the Sky Harbor International Airport.
Welcome to Arizona 🌵 #haboob @weathernetwork @NWS @WeatherNation @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/5cENuZWkof
— Herb Jackson Jr 💯 (@herbjacksonjr) August 17, 2020
Drivers along I-10 were forced to pull over, and a semi truck traveling near Picacho Peak was blown over during the dust storm, closing the interstate. Luckily, no injuries have been reported.
Dust is moving across the L-303 SB, from a large storm cell moving NW near I-17. Please watch out for blowing dust/heavy rain.#I17 #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/zMVoW8vbhR
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 17, 2020
The National Weather Service describes these storms, also called Haboobs, as “relatively common” in the American Southwest during Monsoon Season in July through September, but that these storms can technically occur anywhere in the United States.
“Blinding, choking dust can quickly reduce visibility, causing accidents that may involve chain collisions, creating massive pileups,” writes the NWS.
“Dust storms usually last only a few minutes, but the actions a motorist takes during the storm may be the most important of his or her life.”