Notice the hazy day in Phoenix? Here’s why it happened

PHOENIX — It was a hazy Thursday in the Phoenix area and forecasters said there was a good reason for the abnormal conditions.

A dust storm that originated over parts of Mexico and New Mexico a night earlier was to blame for the lower visibility skies, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

Taking a look at current satellite imagery, lofted dust is being observed over parts of Arizona. This is the remnants of a dust storm that traversed parts of Mexico and New Mexico last night, resulting in hazy skies over the Phoenix metro this morning. #azwx pic.twitter.com/IDRVAElQpF

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 20, 2024

The Valley was met with the blanket of dust in the sky Thursday morning. The conditions remained for much of the day as Phoenix hit 115 degrees for the first time this year and was under an excessive heat watch on the first official day of summer.

Air quality in metro Phoenix dipped as a result, with some areas falling into levels that were unhealthy for sensitive groups.

How bad was dust storm that caused hazy skies in Phoenix?

Parts of New Mexico got not only dust but hail and precipitation measured up to two inches.

Haboob moving in from the east this evening (Pix 1925, 1935,1937, & 2000 hrs) Hillsboro, NM pic.twitter.com/gdgR7KQOJv

— HillsboroWx (@RussBowen1) June 20, 2024

The dust storm lowered visibility to a quarter of a mile in places in eastern New Mexico.

Related

Excessive heat warning to be in effect Thursday in Phoenix with temps to jump above 110 degreesLuxury condo garages for vehicle storage coming to ScottsdalePhoenix stabbing victim dies at hospital, suspect chargedSerial rapist sentenced in Maricopa CountyMarine veteran Senator Ruben Gallego warns Iran war has no endgameU.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego says he’s considering running for president