A severe dust storm covered the city of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, filling the skies throughout the city with dust and haze. Scientists say it is one of the most intense dust storms in the region in several years.
Scientists stated that this dust storm is among the most severe to hit the region in several years, lasting up to 15 hours with dust concentrations exceeding 6,000 micrograms per cubic meter.
Researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) classified the event as Category 5, the highest level on the dust storm severity scale, with wind speeds around 50 miles per hour, or approximately 80 kilometers per hour.
Randall Cerveny, a professor in the Department of Geography and Urban Planning at Arizona State University, said such severe dust storms have occurred only five times in the past 16 years.
This type of dust storm is called a "Haboob," which occurs in the southwestern United States when strong winds descending from thunderstorms lift dry, loose dust and soil from the ground and carry it along the advancing storm front.
Haboobs can form large walls of dust and debris that block drivers’ visibility and may cause health problems for residents. The latest dust storm that struck Phoenix in the early hours of Thursday, 6 August, came just three days after a previous storm.
Although no severe damage was reported from the latest storm, both dust events reduced visibility to about half a mile, or roughly 0.8 kilometers. Reports noted strong winds knocking down trees and roadside objects, making travel difficult.
Matt Salerno, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Weather Service office in Phoenix, said it was fortunate both dust storms occurred overnight, reducing road traffic and lowering the risk from the significantly reduced visibility.
Researchers from Arizona State University involved in developing the dust storm severity scale said both events qualify as Category 5 storms with extremely high dust concentrations, reflecting the severity of dust storm phenomena in Arizona’s arid regions.
,AP
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