The latest viral video features a dust storm that totally enveloped Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday. The sand event is commonly known in the Southwest as a haboob.
The sandstorm was produced by downdrafts of a collapsing thunderstorm complex. When the rapidly descending air smashed down on the desert sand, it stirred up large amounts of sand and dust that were carried on by the storm.
Mike Oblinski, who captured time lapse video footage, said: “No words to describe this. I’ve lived in Phoenix for 35 years and seen tons of dust storms. This was something else entirely.”
Sky Harbor International Airport was forced to shut down for 45 minutes due to visibilities that fell as low as 1/8 mile.
Check out video footage below: