I realized recently that I haven't done much writing about where I live, the Sonoran desert climes of Arizona. Most people I talk to who've never visited here seem to think that the only weather we get is punishingly hot and arid ("It's a dry heat!), but that's only part of the picture.
Once a year, the central part of our state gets a drastic change known as the monsoon season. And there was evidence of it again this week, when the Phoenix Valley experienced one of its impressive and unique dust storms, known as a haboob.
Monsoon season tends to run from mid-June to late September, according to the National Weather Service, with the return of the blowing sandstorms, followed by torrential rainstorms--sometimes with awe-inspiring lightning displays and rumbling thunder claps--and 2025 is (mercifully) set to be heavier than recent years:
The El Niño conditions that developed in late 2024 have carried over, creating favorable atmospheric conditions for enhanced storm development in the Southwest. That means we may experience more frequent storms, higher humidity, and increased rainfall totals.
When those massive fronts come through, people might mistakenly think our area is being overwhelmed by the famed Japanese monster, Godzilla.
READ MORE: Celebrate 'Global Godzilla Day' With the Re-Release of Monster Hit 'Minus One,' Major News on Sequel
An airline passenger managed to catch video of the dust storm as it was rolling in over Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday, and it's something to behold! Our buddy Buzz Patterson, whom readers might know is a former pilot, even commented on it, which got my attention.
Above a TikTok video shared by one of our local TV stations, he wrote, "Wow. I’ve seen a couple of these but I wasn’t operating an airplane." [You can see the clip in the video of the station's reporting below.]
Some visitors from Oregon told Fox 10 Phoenix they'd never experienced the monsoon dust storms before and were mighty impressed. It wasn't all just a fun experience for out-of-town travelers, though, as a terminal building's roof was damaged by the storm.
Watch:
Another hazard that can hitch a ride on the haboob is the fungus among us that causes Valley Fever:
Dust storms in Arizona can kick up fungal spores that lead to Valley Fever, a disease with symptoms ranging from mild, flu-like illness to a severe, long-term infection that can spread to the brain.
And unfortunately, the spores can strike humans and our furry friends alike. In other words, if you can stay inside and out of the wind, that's your best option.
There is a plus to the summer storms. Once the rain lets up (usually in the evenings), there's a respite from the heat overnight. It lets those of us who live here get out and do things on those evenings.
Then again, we sometimes have other unique problems brought on by the haboob, like a runaway tortoise named Jebediah who is getting swept away in the winds and rain. It's just another part of desert life:
🐢 Jebediah may be 250 lbs and 70 years old, but he still knows how to slip away. Thankfully, Officer Payne helped this gentle giant return home safely after last night’s storm. pic.twitter.com/eUqJZzwreo
— Tempe Police Department (@TempePolice) August 27, 2025
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