Dust storm reduces visibility to near zero across Phoenix and central Arizona
A massive dust storm swept across Phoenix and parts of Arizona through Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026. Near zero visibility conditions were reported along the I-10, I-70, and the U.S. 60, creating life threatening travel conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple Dust Storm Warnings and severe weather alerts as winds of up to 64 km/h (40 mph) drove the wall of dust across central Arizona.
Near zero visibility along the Verrado Way on I-10 due to a dust storm in Arizona on July 12, 2026. Credit: ADOT
A massive dust storm swept across the Phoenix metropolitan area and parts of Arizona during the evening of Sunday, July 12, as thunderstorms brought strong winds, rainfall, and lightning across the region.
A large wall of dust moved through Pinal County into the Casa Grande area, affecting Interstate 10 (I-10) and Interstate 8 (I-8) on Saturday evening, July 11. Visibility dropped to below 30 m (100 feet) in some parts of the region. Dust storms also affected the Tucson metropolitan area and parts of Pima County around the same time.
The dust reached the Southeast Valley by approximately 21:00 LT on Saturday. Later, a Blowing Dust Advisory from 16:00 to 20:00 LT on Sunday for southern Maricopa County and Pinal County.
Wind gusts exceeding 64 km/h (40 mph) were reported across affected areas. were reported across the affected regions. Blowing dust began propagating southward with an outflow boundary into Mesa along the State Route 202 and US Highway 60 at around 17:00 LT on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Phoenix.
Dust Storm Warnings were issued for areas near the I-10, I-70, and US-60 through 20:45 LT with the NWS warning of near-zero visibility and life-threatening travel conditions.
The dust storm cleared the Phoenix area by approximately 21:00 LT, while thunderstorms and scattered showers continued across parts of central Arizona through the night.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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