For many in Phoenix, Monday evening turned into something out of a movie scene as a massive wall of dust swept across the valley, darkening skies, shutting down power, and even halting flights.
The powerful storm left tens of thousands without electricity and caused disruptions across the city.
Dust Wall Rolls Across Arizona
It all began around 4 p.m. near Interstate-10 in Casa Grande and Eloy, just south of Phoenix, according to the National Weather Service.
Within an hour, the storm surged north, triggering dust storm warnings before 5 p.m. that lasted until 7 p.m.
Dramatic time-lapse videos captured the moment a giant wall of dust moved in, swallowing up neighborhoods and reducing visibility to almost nothing.
Stadium Lights Go Out
Residents weren’t the only ones hit by the storm.
At Arizona State University, the football stadium went completely dark as the dust and storm clouds rolled overhead.
On social media, students and locals shared videos showing how quickly the skies shifted from clear to pitch black.
Thousands Left Without Power
The impact was immediate and widespread.
More than 35,000 homes and businesses in Maricopa County lost electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
Crews scrambled to restore service as residents endured the blackout in soaring desert heat.
Airport Hit Hard
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was also caught in the chaos.
Winds were so fierce that part of the roof at Terminal 4 was blown off, according to reports.
The storm led to a temporary ground stop, delaying flights and causing water to seep into passenger areas.
An airport spokesperson confirmed that cleanup efforts were underway and delays were still ongoing into the night.
Damage Across Neighborhoods
Elsewhere in the city, the storm left visible marks. In the Ahwatukee Foothills, high winds knocked a traffic sign into the road.
In Chandler, photos showed a large tree crashing down on top of a house.
Other neighborhoods reported scattered damage from falling debris.
Thunderstorms and Flash Flood Warnings
The dust storm wasn’t the only danger. The National Weather Service issued thunderstorm warnings for Queen Creek, Chandler, Gilbert, Higley, Guadalupe, Gila Crossing, and Laveen.
Flash flood alerts were also posted for parts of western Arizona near the California border, raising concerns about road safety.
Travel Warnings for Drivers
The Arizona Department of Transportation urged drivers to stay off highways during the storm.
Officials stressed that motorists who can’t exit in time should safely pull over, turn off their lights, and wait it out rather than risk driving blind through thick dust.
What’s Next for Phoenix Weather
Meteorologists expect some relief later in the week.
A shift to westerly winds should bring in drier air by Wednesday, easing thunderstorm chances and clearing skies.
Temperatures are also likely to dip slightly, hovering in the low 100s or even the high 90s — a small break in the desert heat after a chaotic start to the week.
