Highlights
- The National Weather Service issued a Dust Storm Warning at 10:23 p.m. MST Sunday for La Paz and Maricopa counties.
- Visibility dropped to less than one quarter mile with winds exceeding 50 mph along I-10 between mile markers 64 and 95 and US-60 between mile markers 66 and 95.
- NWS described travel conditions as dangerous and life-threatening, urging motorists to pull off the road and turn off their lights.
- Strong to severe thunderstorms were also possible behind the dust wall as the situation continued to evolve.
DUST STORM WARNING: The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Dust Storm Warning at 10:23 p.m. MST Sunday for portions of La Paz and Maricopa counties, with conditions described as dangerous and life-threatening for drivers on two major western Arizona highways.
At 10:20 p.m. MST, Doppler radar showed a wall of dust extending from near Aguila to 17 miles northwest of Tonopah to 8 miles southwest of Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station, moving west at 30 mph. Visibility fell to less than one quarter mile, with winds in excess of 50 mph.
The warning covered AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 64 and 95 and US Highway 60 between mile markers 66 and 95. Affected communities included Tonopah, Gladden, and Aguila.
NWS advised motorists to avoid the storm if possible. Drivers caught in the dust were instructed to pull off the road, turn off their lights, and keep their foot off the brake. The agency's bulletin stated: "Motorists should not drive into a dust storm. PULL ASIDE STAY ALIVE!"
NWS also warned that strong to severe thunderstorms were possible behind the dust wall. The warning was set to expire at 11 p.m. MST Sunday. Motorists in the affected corridors should monitor NWS Phoenix for updates as conditions evolve.
Sources
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- api.weather.gov retrieved 10/08/2026 05:25
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 10/08/2026 05:25. Every claim traces to a source.
