Wind gusts could make driving dangerous on Arizona highways

PHOENIX — Drivers in Arizona could face challenging highway conditions Friday afternoon, when gusts are expected to create strong crosswinds and reduce visibility throughout the state.

Wind gusts in the Valley were expected to reach up to 40 mph.

Dust and Gusts. Winds are gusting well into the 30 and even 40 mph range and managing to loft some dust as far west as El Centro to here in #Phoenix valley. Keep both hands on the wheel and stay alert for surprise spots of denser dust. #AZWX #CAWX #pullasidestayalive #TGIF pic.twitter.com/Bf4YIEkNnx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) May 11, 2018

Travis Wilson with the National Weather Service in Phoenix said drivers could see blowing dust on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson.

“We could see some haze in the Valley, but we’re not expecting visibility to drop to any critical level,” he said.

Drivers on I-8 and I-10 could experience blowing dust, reduced visibility and strong crosswinds in western and southwestern Arizona and southeast California.

REMINDER: There is blowing dust on SR 347 north of Maricopa. For safety tips, go to https://t.co/1Lt0iWaiwj. #PullAsideStayAlive pic.twitter.com/aJOOzII5kV

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 11, 2018

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff said I-17 drivers could see gusts of 40-55 mph north of Black Canyon City all the way to Flagstaff.

The conditions could be especially challenging for drivers of high-profile vehicles such as 18-wheelers and RVs.

The wind plus high heat and very low humidity put almost the entire state into a red flag fire danger warning Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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