Maricopa Senior LivingPublished on Dust Storms - National Weather Service: Phoenix, Arizona
A Dust Storm develops when cold air rushes down from a thunderstorm and picks up dust and sand from the ground to create a wall of dust. This wall of dust travels in front of the thunderstorm and can persist for hundreds of miles.
Dust storms and Haboobs can occur anywhere in the United States but are most common in the Southwest. Haboobs occur as a result of thunderstorm outflow winds. Strong thunderstorm winds can start a dust storm that can drastically reduce visibility. Your NWS Forecast Office will issue a Dust Storm Warning if one is happening in your area.
Motorists Beware!
A dust storm usually arrives suddenly in the form of an advancing wall of dust and debris which may be miles long and several thousand feet high. They strike with little warning, making driving conditions hazardous. Blinding, choking dust can quickly reduce visibility, causing accidents that may involve chain collisions, creating massive pileups. 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.
What to do when you encounter a dust storm while driving -
"Pull Aside - Stay Alive"
- Don't enter the dust storm area if you can avoid it.
- If you enter the area, pull off the road as far as possible.
- If you can't pull off the roadway, proceed at a speed suitable for visibility, turn on lights and sound horn occasionally. Use the painted center line to help guide you. Keep looking for a safe place to pull off the roadway.
- Stop and turn off your lights.
- Set your emergency brakes.
- Take your foot off the brake pedal so taillights are not illuminated.
- Never stop on a traveled portion of the highway
Lights Out!
In the past, motorists driving in dust storms have pulled off the roadway, leaving lights on. Vehicles approaching from the rear and using the advance car's lights as a guide have inadvertently left the roadway and in some instances collided with the parked vehicle. Make sure all of your lights are off when you park off the roadway.
Sources: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
