Phoenix, Arizona — Arizona is bracing for another round of potentially severe monsoon thunderstorms after powerful storms battered parts of the state Wednesday, knocking out electricity to more than 32,000 customers and triggering dangerous dust storms across the region.
The threat is expected to return Thursday afternoon, with forecasters watching parts of central and southern Arizona, including the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, for additional thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and rapidly developing dust storms.
More Storms Could Develop Thursday
Monsoon thunderstorms are expected to begin developing again Thursday afternoon across portions of Arizona.
While not every storm will become severe, forecasters are particularly concerned about strong winds and blowing dust, two hazards that can quickly create dangerous conditions across the desert.
Phoenix and Tucson are among the populated areas included in the current severe-weather risk, meaning residents could once again see rapidly changing conditions during the afternoon and evening.
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has placed much of central and southern Arizona under a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms.
66-Mph Winds Hit Phoenix
Wednesday’s storms demonstrated how quickly conditions can deteriorate.
The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts of up to 66 mph near Phoenix, strong enough to damage property, bring down trees or power infrastructure and create hazardous travel conditions.
The storms also contributed to widespread power outages across the region.
More than 32,000 customers lost electricity Wednesday, while more than 15,000 customers remained without power early Thursday across Maricopa County, according to power outage tracking data.
Many of those outages had been restored by mid-morning Thursday, but the remaining outages underscored the impact of Wednesday’s storms.
Dust Storms Create Dangerous Visibility
Powerful winds weren’t the only concern.
The storms also triggered Dust Storm Warnings across portions of Arizona as strong winds lifted large amounts of dust from the desert floor.
In parts of northwestern Pima County, visibility dropped to less than one-quarter mile, creating dangerous conditions for motorists.
Sudden dust storms can be especially hazardous because visibility can deteriorate within minutes. Drivers caught in thick blowing dust can struggle to see vehicles, road markings and other obstacles ahead.
The storms also contributed to periods of hazardous air quality, with conditions reaching dangerous levels according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index.
Arizona’s Monsoon Season Continues
The latest storm threat comes during Arizona’s annual Southwest monsoon season, which typically lasts from mid-June through the end of September.
The seasonal weather pattern supplies a significant portion of the annual rainfall across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, southern Utah and California.
However, the rainfall also comes with hazards, including damaging winds, lightning, flash flooding and dust storms.
For Arizona residents, Thursday’s forecast serves as another reminder that monsoon thunderstorms can develop quickly and bring several dangerous weather threats at once.
With the Phoenix and Tucson areas included in the current severe-weather risk, residents should remain alert for updated forecasts and warnings as storms develop.
Are you expecting more severe weather in your area? Have you experienced Arizona’s powerful monsoon storms or dust storms before? Share your experience in the comments below.