Highlights
- A dust storm swept the Phoenix area overnight Aug. 4, earning a Category 5 rating on the ASU dust storm scale.
- A heavy layer of dust blanketed the Valley through the day Tuesday, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
- KTAR, 12News, AZFamily, and Weather.com all independently confirmed the storm and its lingering air-quality effects.
- The National Weather Service Phoenix office flagged additional thunderstorm activity pushing gusty winds north into the Valley.
A dust storm swept across the Phoenix area overnight Tuesday, leaving a heavy layer of dust blanketing the region through the day, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Officials confirmed the event reached a Category 5 rating on the Arizona State University dust storm scale, the highest classification on the system developed by ASU's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning.
The storm's reach and duration drew coverage from multiple outlets. KTAR reported the haboob pushed Phoenix air quality to extremes, while 12News documented why the dust was hanging around so long after the storm passed. Weather.com published video describing the overnight storm as making Phoenix look like Mars.
A separate AZFamily report noted extreme heat and hazy skies settling over the Phoenix area Tuesday, with additional dust possible. The National Weather Service Phoenix office warned Tuesday of a complex of strong thunderstorms developing across southeastern Arizona that could push gusty winds north into the Valley.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- Fox 10 Phoenix retrieved 04/08/2026 23:48
- ktar.com retrieved 04/08/2026 23:48
- weather.com retrieved 04/08/2026 23:48
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 04/08/2026 23:48
- weather.gov retrieved 04/08/2026 23:48
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 04/08/2026 23:48. Every claim traces to a source.
