Highlights
- The National Weather Service issued a Dust Advisory for Maricopa and Pinal counties effective 11:01 p.m. MST August 19 through midnight.
- A dust channel near Bosque, 11 miles east of Gila Bend, is moving west at 25 mph with winds exceeding 50 mph and visibility under two miles.
- Affected roads include I-8 between mile markers 90 and 140, AZ Route 85 between mile markers 1 and 137, and AZ Route 238 between mile markers 1 and 22.
- NWS advises motorists caught in blowing dust to pull off the road, turn off lights, and keep their foot off the brake.
DUST ADVISORY: The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Dust Advisory for Maricopa and Pinal counties at 11:01 p.m. MST Wednesday, August 19, running through midnight.
At the time of issuance, a dust channel was near Bosque, approximately 11 miles east of Gila Bend, moving west at 25 mph. The NWS cited Doppler radar as its source and reported visibility below two miles with winds in excess of 50 mph.
The advisory covers three highway corridors: AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 90 and 140, AZ Route 238 between mile markers 1 and 22, and AZ Route 85 between mile markers 1 and 137. Affected communities include Gila Bend, Estrella, Big Horn, Gila Bend Auxiliary Field, Bosque, Cotton Center, Sonoran National Monument, and Sundad.
The NWS warns that blowing dust can cause Valley Fever and urges the public to avoid outdoor exposure. Motorists caught in dense blowing dust are advised to pull off the road, turn off their lights, and keep their foot off the brake. The agency's guidance: "PULL ASIDE STAY ALIVE."
The advisory expires at midnight MST August 20.
Sources
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- api.weather.gov retrieved 20/08/2026 06:05
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 20/08/2026 06:05. Every claim traces to a source.
