Giant dust storm known as haboob blowing through Phoenix area

PHOENIX — A giant wall of dust is rolling through the Phoenix area.

The wall of dust, also known as a haboob, hit the downtown area Monday evening and moved in from the southeast.

The storm brought reduced visibility and heavy winds.

Another giant dust storm in Arizona caught worldwide attention on July 5. That storm brought a mile-high wall of dust that halted airline flights, knocked out power for hundreds of people and turned swimming pools into mud pits.

Weather officials say haboobs only happen in Arizona, the Sahara desert and parts of the Middle East because of dry conditions and large amounts of sand.

— Associated Press