Weather Alert in Arizona

Recent Locations: Oak Park, MN   Winchester, CA   Keams Canyon, AZ  

Blowing Dust Advisory issued August 13 at 12:47AM MST until August 13 at 11:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ

AREAS AFFECTED: Western Pima County Including Ajo/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument; Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells; Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales; Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail; South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park; Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle; Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson; Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet including Douglas/Willcox; Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...Strong and gusty thunderstorm outflows between 40-45 mph are expected to produce blowing dust today, possibly developing into a haboob. Organized outflows will generally move west across Southeast Arizona with locations south and east of Tucson impacted this afternoon, then locations across Pima and Southeast Pinal counties impacted during the late afternoon and evening hours. Visibility between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust are expected. * WHERE...Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet, South Central Pinal County, Southeast Pinal County, Tohono O'odham Nation, Tucson Metro Area, Upper Gila River Valley, Upper San Pedro River Valley, Upper Santa Cruz River Valley/Altar Valley, and Western Pima County. * WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to 11 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Blowing dust can restrict visibilities below a mile posing a significant hazard to motorists, especially those traveling along Interstate 10 through the San Simon Valley near the Arizona and New Mexico border this afternoon...and between Tucson and Phoenix late this afternoon and evening. In addition, strong and gusty winds will likely suspend dust into the air that people and animals breathe. Individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities may want to reduce their level of exertion to limit the dust they breathe into their lungs, especially if they are near dust prone locations. Those most at risk may feel better if they avoid outside exercise today, keeping windows and doors closed to help reduce exposure.

INSTRUCTION: Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive'.

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Weather Topic: What are Nimbostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Nimbostratus Clouds

Nimbostratus Clouds Next Topic: Precipitation

A nimbostratus cloud is similar to a stratus cloud in its formless, smooth appearance. However, a nimbostratus cloud is darker than a stratus cloud, because it is thicker.

Unlike a stratus cloud, a nimbostratus cloud typically brings with it the threat of moderate to heavy precipitation. In some cases, the precipitation may evaporate before reaching the ground, a phenomenon known as virga.

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Weather Topic: What is Rain?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Rain

Rain Next Topic: Shelf Clouds

Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain. Rain generally has a tendency to fall with less intensity over a greater period of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually less sustained.

Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have an observable effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island. Compared to upwind, monthly rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of cities is 30% greater.

Next Topic: Shelf Clouds

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