Highlights
- The National Weather Service issued a Dust Storm Warning for Maricopa County at 8:01 p.m. MST Sunday, July 12.
- Visibility dropped below a quarter mile with winds exceeding 40 mph; the NWS called travel conditions dangerous and life-threatening.
- Affected highways include I-10 between mile markers 74 and 125, I-8 between 89 and 114, and US-60 between 99 and 154.
- Drivers caught in the storm are advised to pull off the road, turn off lights, and keep their foot off the brake.
DUST STORM WARNING: The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Dust Storm Warning for Maricopa County at 8:01 p.m. MST Sunday, July 12, effective until 9 p.m. MST, citing dangerous, life-threatening travel conditions.
At 8:01 p.m., a wall of dust extended along a line from near Metro Center to near Waddell to near Palo Verde to near Gila Bend, moving north at 40 mph. Visibility fell to less than a quarter mile, with wind in excess of 40 mph.
The warning covers the following highways: AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 74 and 125, AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 89 and 114, and US Highway 60 between mile markers 99 and 154. Affected communities include Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Buckeye, El Mirage, Wickenburg, Youngtown, Gila Bend, Tonopah, Sun City West, Waddell, Circle City, and Sun City.
The NWS advises drivers to avoid the storm if possible. If caught in one, pull off the road immediately, turn off your lights, and keep your foot off the brake.
The warning expires at 9 p.m. MST; check the NWS Phoenix forecast office for updates.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- api.weather.gov retrieved 13/07/2026 03:05
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 13/07/2026 03:05. Every claim traces to a source.
