Phoenix Haboob and Thunderstorms Leave Thousands Without Power

A massive haboob followed by severe thunderstorms struck Phoenix, Arizona, causing power outages, flight delays, and road hazards across Maricopa County.

Key Highlights

• A towering dust wall, or haboob, hit Phoenix Monday evening.

• Severe thunderstorms followed, with 70 mph winds reported.

• Over 60,000 customers in Arizona lost power.

• Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport halted operations for nearly an hour.

• Gilbert, Arizona, reported downed trees and traffic signal outages.

Dust Storm Engulfs Phoenix

On Monday evening, Phoenix, Arizona, experienced a dramatic weather event as a towering wall of dust—known as a haboob—swept across the metro area. The storm reduced visibility to near zero, creating hazardous conditions for both drivers and residents.

The dust storm was quickly followed by powerful thunderstorms that ripped through the city, toppling trees, damaging property, and cutting electricity to thousands of households. Wind gusts reached speeds of 70 mph, strong enough to shred a connector bridge at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Warnings and Road Closures

The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued dust storm and severe thunderstorm warnings as the system advanced through Maricopa County. Officials cautioned motorists about dangerously low visibility, reminding them to “pull aside, stay alive.”

The Arizona Department of Transportation also advised extreme caution, reporting significant visibility issues along I-10 and I-17 and warning of flooding on several roadways.

Power Outages and Airport Disruptions

According to PowerOutage.us, more than 60,000 Arizona residents lost electricity, with the majority of outages concentrated in Maricopa County.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, operations came to a standstill as dust clouds loomed over the facility. For about an hour, no flights were permitted to take off or land. Even after the ground stop was lifted, passengers faced delays of up to 30 minutes while crews inspected for roof leaks and other possible damage, airport spokesperson Gregory E. Roybal confirmed.

Impact on Gilbert and Surrounding Areas

In Gilbert, a community southeast of Phoenix, authorities reported downed trees and traffic light failures across the town. Police urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, citing dangerous road conditions.

Dust storms are a regular part of Arizona’s monsoon season, but this particular event carried unusual intensity. A collapsing thunderstorm forced powerful winds outward, sweeping desert soil into a massive wall of dust that blotted out the horizon in seconds.

Broader Regional Effects

The Phoenix haboob came just days after a separate dust storm swept through Nevada, disrupting the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City. Vendors scrambled to secure tents as winds bent structures and reduced visibility, with attendees stranded on access roads.

Looking Ahead

Phoenix recorded just under a quarter inch of rainfall during Monday’s storms. Meteorologists forecast additional chances of thunderstorms through Wednesday before conditions begin to stabilize. While dry air may limit storm development later in the week, triple-digit temperatures are expected to persist.