The monsoon season began on Thursday, bringing strong winds, lightning, heavy rain, hail and even dust across Arizona.
The state’s most populous county, Maricopa County, appeared to be one of the hardest hit locations, with thousands of power outages, flight diversions and the temporary suspension of Arizona State University football games.
The FOX Forecast Center says strong to severe thunderstorms south of Phoenix are likely to produce winds in the 50-80 mph range that cause dust storms to develop.
A Dust Storm Warning has been issued for parts of the metro and the National Weather Service is warning of visibility of less than a quarter mile.
Dust was seen entering Arizona State University’s stadium as the Sun Devils took on Southern Utah University in Tempe.
The game was temporarily suspended, and fans were asked to seek shelter until the weather improved.
A dust storm moves in, reducing visibility during the first half of the NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Southern Utah on Aug. 31, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. AP
Fans exit the stadium during a weather delay at the NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Southern Utah on Aug. 31, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. AP
PowerOutage.us reported about 80,000 outages statewide, with most located in Pinal, Yavapai and Maricopa counties.
A ground stop halted operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, causing several delays and cancellations.
The airport encouraged passengers to check with their airlines to determine the status of their flights.
Members of the Arizona State student section and the band take cover during a weather delay in the team’s NCAA college football game against Southern Utah on Aug. 31, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz.AP
Arizona State University’s football stadium displays a weather delay sign during the stoppage of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Southern Utah on Aug. 31, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. AP
The monsoon season began in June but got off to one of the slowest starts in memory, leading to a historic heat wave across the Southwest.
Increased rain and thunderstorm activity is expected to continue through Saturday before drier weather develops in Phoenix and much of Arizona during the Labor Day holiday.
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