The Phoenix Metro area in the Southwest region survived it's second Haboob in July. For those who may not be familiar this is a phenomenon of warm temperatures and wind direction change usually coming from the south east. A huge dust storm may start because of a micro-burst in the sandy and dusty desert. The dirt is pushed and carried in what can be a mile-high cloud toward the west, usually, where it will cover miles and miles of land. The winds can be fierce, felling trees and electrical poles, bringing in dense dirt blows that darken the sky sometimes forcing the street lights to glow during the daylight. To the southwest gardener this can be a challenging event. Winds will blow over pots, trees, umbrellas, small structures. The clean up can be daunting and definitely requires a hosing down of everything outdoors. This is the Monsoon season lasting from approximately June into September and we live with it. Some of us even embrace it, it's so unique.

I know I spent a good amount of time with clean up after the July 5 storm. Umbrella end up in the lime tree! Wish I'd thought to take a pic! Maybe we can post pics here when the next storms come!

Thanks for this great info, Susie! I'd love to see everyone's photos.

I am so into watching these haboobs. I grew up in Phoenix and while we did have dust storm, we had nothing like these monsters. I even wrote about it on my blog here. It's a big deal to me.

My balcony was messy but as soon I was aware of the pending storm, I brought in my favorite plants and so it wasn't too bad to clean up.

My photo shows what looks like dark mountains...that is the haboob racing towards me! It was taken with my cell phone because my camera was out of commission at the time. (It's ready for the next one!)

Amazing photos ! We followed it on the news here , of course. So glad Tucson does not seem to get these things.

Linda, you better be whistling...

Two images to add to this thread.

I found this on Google:


Phoenix, July 5, 2011...this is the same dark dust I saw from far away.

Not sure, Alan...I'm looking towards the south. The first one was the darkest...the last one was light. I hate the mess but I sure love storms!

They scare me to death watching them on TV. I do not know if I could handle one being right there.

I just got back in the house after 4 hours in the garden. Landscaper day so I love to cut back everything that needs it because they come behind me and clean it up. They have this very large compost station so my cutting do not go into the land fill.

We are suppose to get storms this weekend. I will believe it when I see it.

Imagine going to "weather school", getting a degree, being hired by media, having a career in forecasting, getting paid, predicting the weather, getting paid, not being accountable, getting paid, and keeping your job... oh, did I mention that you still get paid?

I chose the wrong career.

me too.

Sounds like Congress...

yep...

Many years ago, I lived in Yuma for two years.....NEVER anything like this. That looks like something out of a sc-fi film.

Sherry, it was kinda weird when we saw the spacecraft emerge!