High winds, dust could blow through Phoenix area for 2nd consecutive night

Fold up and stash that lawn furniture. High winds and dust could blow through the Phoenix area for a second consecutive night on Tuesday.

On Monday night, dust storms with wind gusts over 40 mph dropped visibility below 2 miles in some areas.

“It was due to quite a bit of storm activity in southeast Arizona and around Tucson,” meteorologist Chris Kuhlman told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday morning. “And that kicked out some outflow winds, 35 to even maybe 45 miles per hour, into Pinal County and then worked its way up into Phoenix. And that eventually, as that moved through, it kicked up quite a bit of dust.”

Kuhlman said similar conditions are expected Tuesday.

“What we’re expecting today could be a very similar situation, slightly less of a chance, probably, of gusty winds and blowing dust, but it’s definitely a possibility,” he said.

Dust storms provide only temporary relief from heat

Monday night’s activity had a temporary cooling effect as Phoenix’s overnight low dipped into the 80s for the first time in a week. But the impact was temporary.

“It’s beneficial, but it’s not really going to help us all that much as far as the extreme heat. We’re still going to heat up today, highs around 110 with high humidities, and that’s going to persist through at least Friday,” Kuhlman said.

Morning low temperatures were several degrees above the daily normals. Under partly cloudy skies and lingering lofted dust, look for readings generally in a 105°F to 110°F range this afternoon. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/rObTUZY98Q

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 4, 2026

Despite the humidity, the Valley has only a slight chance for rain this week.

“The high-pressure system is almost directly overhead, which means it is not conducive for storms over the lower desert,” Kuhlman explained. “So, it kind of keeps a lid on all the storm activity.

“It’s not impossible to happen, but we would have to have something like these outflow winds colliding with another set of outflow winds for a storm to actually form over the Valley. So, we’re giving it about a 5% to 10% chance of that happening over the next couple days.”

Phoenix area is under an extreme heat warning at least through Friday

Meanwhile, the Phoenix area remains under an extreme heat warning at least until Friday night after the latest extension. The warning has been in effect since July 23.

“The humidity will stick around at least through Thursday,” Kuhlman said. “It will gradually decrease into the weekend, but as it decreases, the temperatures go up. So, we’re still looking at [the] likelihood of even having to extend the heat warning through the weekend.”

He added that the models are showing a better chance for monsoon storms and rain that could break the heat wave early next week.

Extreme heat warnings trigger daytime closures of hiking trails at Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain in Phoenix.

The danger is real. The Maricopa County Public Health Department has confirmed 40 heat-related deaths so far this year, more than double the number at this time in 2025.

The National Weather Service included the following recommendations in the latest extreme heat warning:

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.

The Maricopa County Heat Relief Network offers free, cool spaces and other resources to people who need relief from the heat from May to September.

Additionally, the Salvation Army opens 10 heat relief stations across the Valley during extreme heat warnings.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Shira Tanzer contributed to this report.

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