Arizona, 2022

Dust Storm and Damaging Winds in Arizona, September 1, 2022

September 1, 2022 · NWS PSR · 5 events in 3 counties and zones

Under a classic setup for storm motion from the Mogollon Rim to the Valley (Rim-to-Valley), with the monsoon 500mb high positioned over Nevada, a multicell storm cluster descended out of the White Mountains, through Gila County, and into the lower deserts of Maricopa and Pinal Counties in the early overnight hours of the 1st. Moisture levels were near average for the time of year, but steep mid…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$19,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PSR wrote it up.

Under a classic setup for storm motion from the Mogollon Rim to the Valley (Rim-to-Valley), with the monsoon 500mb high positioned over Nevada, a multicell storm cluster descended out of the White Mountains, through Gila County, and into the lower deserts of Maricopa and Pinal Counties in the early overnight hours of the 1st. Moisture levels were near average for the time of year, but steep mid level lapse rates over the high terrain (7-8 C/km) and modest shear (Sfc-6km around 20-25 kts) was sufficient to support the development of an organized multicell storm cluster. The environment was also supportive of strong downbursts, with DCAPE up around 1000-1500 J/kg. A single ordinary storm also developed in the Queen Creek/San Tan Valley area a couple hours before the multicell cluster moved into the lower deserts, and produced a damaging downburst. Strong winds leading to a dust storm was eventually generated by the multicell cluster once it moved into Maricopa and Pinal Counties.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Phoenix, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 1, 5:37 PM MST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 5:37 PM MST, 2 hours 57 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 1, 8:19 PM MST, 15 minutes before
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The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 18 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:34 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 2 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pinal

When
September 1, 8:34 PM MST
Where
Pinal County, 3.74 mi NW of Magma
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
33.172, -111.540

A bus barn at Poston Butte High School had two 3X70 foot pieces of sheet metal roofing peeled off in a downburst. A stack of wooden pallets was reportedly tossed 150 feet and there was at least minor damage to other equipment and supplies. A light pole, rusted near the base, also toppled over at the high school. Wind speeds estimated around 55-60 mph and timing based on radar. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pinal

When
September 1, 8:35 PM MST
Where
Pinal County, 4.04 mi WNW of Magma
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$6,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
33.160, -111.560

Approximately 5-6 trees, at 20 to 30 feet tall, were toppled on Johnson Ranch Boulevard. Wind speeds estimated around 55-60 mph and timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pinal

When
September 1, 8:36 PM MST
Where
Pinal County, 3.71 mi WNW of Magma
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
33.154, -111.558

Two large trees (20-24 inch diameter trunks) were uprooted and each fell through concrete block walls and onto a couple homes in the Johnson Ranch community. The extent of the damage to the homes was unknown. There were also several street signs reportedly ripped from their posts or were twisted/mangled. Winds were estimated around 55-60 mph and timing was based on radar. No injuries were reported.

Dust Storm, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek

When
September 1, 10:14 PM MST to 10:25 PM MST
Where
Southeast Valley/Queen Creek forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
33.349, -112.491 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Visibility fell to 200 feet near Queen Creek Road and Sossaman Road due to dense blowing dust. No injuries or major traffic disruptions were reported.

Dust Storm, Northwest Pinal County

When
September 1, 10:37 PM MST to 10:50 PM MST
Where
Northwest Pinal County forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An Arizona Department of Transportation traffic web cam at the intersection of State Route 347 and Cement Plant Road showed near zero visibility in blowing dust. No injuries or significant impacts to traffic were reported.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Dust Storm
Blowing dust that reduced visibility to a quarter mile or less.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arizona in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, September 2022

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1052138, 1052139, 1052140, 1052141, 1052142.