"This is a timelapse of the Phoenix Sandstorm from Maricopa, AZ that hit at 5.30 PM" on June 16, YouTube poster whittakerbrock wrote.
Dust storms are common in the southwestern U.S. during the summer, which is the region's monsoon season. During the monsoon, an overall shift in winds across the Southwest draw in tropical moisture, resulting in a significant increase in thunderstorm activity and rainfall.
Thunderstorms that develop can produce strong downdrafts, or "downbursts", which are powerful winds that blast downward and outward from the thunderstorms.
When this happens, dry, loose sand on the desert floors can get kicked up, creating a wall of dust that travels outward, spanning a much larger area than the thunderstorm itself.
Dust storms that develop in this way are also called haboobs. They can happen in desert regions across the world.
Some of the warmest weather of the year will continue across Alaska over the next few days, challenging more records.
Join us on Thursday for AccuWeather LIVE, we will discuss the debate of climate change and hurricane frequency and the top five things you need to know about summer weather.
Warmth is forecast to build over much of the eastern half of the nation by July, with Alaska of all places helping out.
A brief synopsis of the top five worst weather events of last summer.
The storms could affect cities from St. Louis to Evansville, Ind., Louisville, Ky., Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio to Huntington, W.Va.
A tornado touched down at Denver International Airport as a severe weather system moved through the area.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
New Brunswick, NJ (1835)
Great New Brunswick Tornado; 5 dead, 17-mile
path through the center of town; in all, 145
buildings were damaged. This is the worst tornado
catastrophe in New Jersey history to date.
Philadelphia, PA (1994)
Strong thunderstorm winds blew off a large section
of a hanger roof and also damaged two aircraft.
Central Illinois (1964)
19th-20th) Hail as large as grapefruits
battered more than 50 counties, causing crop
and property damage totalling $9.2 million.
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