Phoenix Sandstorm - July 5, 2011

A massive sandstorm engulfed the city of Phoenix in Arizona on Tuesday July 5th. Although sandstorms are not uncommon in that region,the dimensions of this particular event were staggering. This massive wall of sand reached a height of over 5,280 feet into the atmosphere and a maximum width extending nearly 100 miles reducing visibilities to zero. The ongoing drought in the south western United States has contributed to this phenomenon. Strong downdrafts associated with a thunderstorm complex that had developed to the east of the city of Phoenix that evening picked up this mass of dust and sand more than one mile high. 60 mile per hour winds rolled the screen of sand a distance over 150 miles enveloping everything in its path.