This summer we have had three haboobs here. In the previous 15+ years, we have never had one here. (They are more common between Tucson and Phoenix.)

A haboob is an intense dust storm that occurs on the edge of a severe storm and can result in blackout conditions. 

The drought here over the last year has been bad, and presumably that’s part of the reason this is happening now. Fortunately, we’ve had some rain this monsoon, 1.05″ in June, 3.22″ in July, and 1.35″ so far in August.

Below are some videos of the haboob approaching. It was pretty scary. After it arrived, it was near dark and eerie with strong winds. Afterward, everything was covered in dirt. It felt like the Dust Bowl.