It feels like nothing excites an Arizonan more than a monsoon or haboob. These dusty summer storms, and the excited conversation that they inspire, have long been fairly unique to Arizona.
But last week the LA Times reported that climate change is making California ripe for haboobs.
University of California researchers have even formed a consortium called UC Dust to research the causes, impacts and future of dust storms in California.
They say environmental factors like how much it rains, how moist the soil is, how hot the ground is and how windy it is are all increasing dust emissions — meaning we can expect more dust storms across the Southwest.
We have a bit of haboob advice for our neighbors to the west:
Pull over if you’re driving.
If you’re home, stay inside.
If you’re outside for some reason — keep your mouth closed.
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If you’ve spotted yellowing melon plants in Yuma recently, that may be the result of a recent virus outbreak. The early warm weather is providing suitable conditions for pest problems. -
After the Dragon Bravo Fire burned the Grand Canyon's North Rim, there's an increased risk of dangerous flooding and mudslides. -
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is forecasting above-normal rainfall for this year’s monsoon, which typically runs from June 15 through Sept. 30. -
Valley residents will feel a brief cooldown this week. The National Weather Service predicts high temperatures in the high 80s to lower 90s in the early weekdays. But it's temporary solace as the summer season approaches. -
Temperatures in Phoenix will be about 14 degrees hotter than normal Monday and Tuesday. Climate Central ranks the weather event at the highest end of its Climate Shift Index scale.
