High Wind and Blowing Dust Warning in Southern Arizona

And on the west side of that storm, we have rain and SNOW in So. Cal

We've been in dust storms in the Casa Grande,AZ area on I-10 (driving the Jeep) and it's a scary situation. There have been multiple vehicle pile-ups and deaths. So if you're heading that way today, try to find a spot to spend the night. Don't risk it.

Yep, same system NCW. Right now, two major accidents on I-10 which are causing signficant delays both east and west of Tucson.

I'm guessing (could be wrong) that this is the same weather system headed for Albuquerque tomorrow, Thursday?... along with the two of us in our RV. One forecast reads wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Needless to say, them balloons ain't going up (or it would be Up, Up & Away, as the song goes.) Forecast for weekend mass ascensions looking much better.

My family and I moved to Mesa in 1944. We lived (I say that loosely) in a trailer park between Mesa and Apache Junction. Very few people here at that time and the area was just beginning to come alive with sparse subdivisions beginning to be developed here and there. I had a paper route that encompassed the area where we lived. Houses were very sparse and distance from one another. I would get caught in those severe dust storm while delivering papers to a now and then homeowner. The only thing that saved me on many occasions were the partially completed homes in and around the area. I would get into the partially built homes, duck down below the window openings, place a handkerchief over my mount and eyes and wait it out.
Many times I was several miles from homeand would be quite late in getting there.
I think of those times differently than others when I hear someone say "the good old days"!

Enjoy........we had them here last week!

Several times a year we get these conditions. Often they result in a "Haboob" (serious sandstorm), moving up into Phoenix after originating northwest of Tucson near Pichacho Peak. Sadly every year people react stupidly to these conditions and deaths occur in the resulting pileups on I-10.

East of Tucson near Wilcox is another extremely dangerous section of I-10. In these conditions the dust off the dry lake bed can shut visibility down to mere feet if not inches. Do not ever atempt to drive in these conditions. Get as far as possible off the road, shut off your lights and do not touch the brake pedal and wait it out as other motorists tend to drive toward your brake/running lights. I cannot even imagine how much fun it would be in an RV. :S

TucsonJim wrote:
Southern Arizona, including I-10, I-17, & I-19 is currently experiencing strong gusty winds and the potential for dust storms exists for this afternoon.

Gusts to 50mph are predicted. Very dense blowing dust is a real possiblity. Be CAREFUL if you're on I-10 with an RV!

Weather Warning Arizona Highways.

And I traveled 1100 miles for wind/windsurfing in Corpus Christi, Tx. It is blowing 8mph here.

TucsonJim wrote:
Southern Arizona, including I-10, I-17, & I-19 is currently experiencing strong gusty winds and the potential for dust storms exists for this afternoon.

Gusts to 50mph are predicted. Very dense blowing dust is a real possiblity. Be CAREFUL if you're on I-10 with an RV!

Weather Warning Arizona Highways.

Thanks for the heads up TucsonJim..