A high pollution advisory is in effect in the Valley on Thursday. Two major dust storms this week have left Phoenix with poor air quality.
Dust storms on Monday and Wednesday nights were both ranked as rare Category 5 storms on ASU’s Phoenix Dust Storm Scale, meaning they were extremely dense, said Michael Graves, air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Graves said monsoon activity that stirs up dust is often followed by precipitation that clears the air. But he said since these storms have been fairly dry, a lot of that particulate matter has lingered.
“There’s just little to no rain that follows this dust, and so it’s just not getting knocked down,” Graves said.
Graves said cloud cover is also preventing the dust from dissipating.
As of Thursday morning, air quality in parts of the Valley was ranked “hazardous” or “very unhealthy” by the U.S. Air Quality Index.
Graves said dust particles are not as risky for your health as wildfire smoke. But high dust levels in the air can still be dangerous, especially for sensitive groups.
“Those with asthma, COPD, respiratory diseases, the elderly might sense it a little more or have a harder time breathing,” Graves said, but added everyone should take caution during the high pollution advisory. “Minimize your time outside.”
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends avoiding burning wood on high pollution advisory days to help cut down on air pollution. The department also suggests avoiding using leaf blowers and carpooling or reducing trips in the car.
Graves said chances for more dust will remain throughout monsoon season, which lasts until the end of September.
“During these active periods, we could have daily chances for dust,” Graves said. “We could have thunderstorms developing over the mountains to our Southeast or our East, and then every evening they send winds our way and depending on how strong those winds are, they can transport dust.”
-
This year’s extremely hot summer immediately followed the hottest spring on record and hottest winter on record. That puts 2026 on-track for the hottest year-round temperature on the books in Phoenix. -
Grand Canyon experts say the recent deadly flash floods in Bright Angel Creek were not unusual, but a wildfire burn scar and major manmade infrastructure in the area changed things. -
Most of the Valley saw less than a quarter-inch of rain from Monday’s storms and forecasts show there’s not much chance for moisture for the next few days. But Phoenix could be in for a wet fall. -
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert was among those rafting in the Grand Canyon with friends Saturday when a dangerous flash flood struck. -
Pima County and the University of Arizona have teamed up to offer a new curriculum focused on air quality monitoring.
