Images: Arizona dust storm
For the third time this summer, a giant wall of dust swept over Phoenix and parts of central Arizona Thursday, turning the sky brown, delaying flights, and knocking out power to thousands. Weather officials say such massive dust storms, also known as haboobs in Arabic, only happen in Arizona, Africa's Sahara desert and parts of the Middle East.
A dust storm moves to consume Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Ariz., Thursday August 18, 2011.
Associated Press
A dust storm moves to consume Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Ariz., Thursday August 18, 2011.
Associated Press
A flooded field is shown after as the remnants of dust and thunderstorm past over Queen Creek, Ariz. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011.
Associated Press
A dust storm hovers over Queen Creek, Ariz. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011. The dust storm, also known as a haboob in Arabic and around Arizona, swept through Pinal County and headed northeast, reaching Phoenix at about 6 p.m. It was the third major dust storm to hit the Phoenix metro area since last month.
Associated Press
Motorist pass over flooded streets after a thunder and dust storm in Queen Creek, Ariz. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011.
Associated Press
A dust storm hovers over Queen Creek, Ariz. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011. The dust storm, also known as a haboob in Arabic and around Arizona, swept through Pinal County and headed northeast, reaching Phoenix at about 6 p.m. It was the third major dust storm to hit the Phoenix metro area since last month.
Associated Press
A giant wall of dust rolls through the central Phoenix area early Thursday evening, Aug. 18, 2011. The dust storm, the third this summer, swept through the area turning the sky brown, creating dangerous driving conditions and delaying some airline flights.
Associated Press
Lightning reveals a large layer of dust in the sky Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 in Gilbert, Ariz. The dust storm swept through Pinal County and headed northeast, reaching Phoenix at about 6 p.m. It was the third major dust storm to hit the Phoenix metro area since last month.
Associated Press