Are these huge dust storms in AZ that common? Or, are they linked

[Skidmore]

somehow to the land being stripped by those large fires? I was watching the new video of the latest storm and it reminded me of the pictures I saw of those during the Dust Bowl years.

[MineralMan]

1. Haboobs aren't that common, but they're not rare or recent, either.

That part of Arizona has always had haboobs from time to time. The first one I remember was when I was five years old. My parents were driving us to visit my mom's parents, who lived outside of Phoenix. It's one of my best childhood memories. The car's paint job got well sanded, and the windshield had to be replaced. After that trip, my father never tried to drive in a haboob again. I've seen several of them since then.

The Phoenix area and the surrounding desert is the only place in the US where these things occur.

[blueamy66]

2. When I was about 7 I was flipped up into the air in the

midst of a dust storm in Tempe.

They are crazy.

[MineralMan]

3. They're pretty amazing. My grandparents lived in Superior,

and I was born there while my mother was waiting for my father, who was flying B-17s in Europe, to return from the war. We visited Arizona a couple of times each year for many, many years.

[blueamy66]

4. We drive thru Globe and Superior at least 4 times a year.

My boss has a cabin in Show Low and we prefer that route from the East Valley.

Nice little towns.

[theophilus]

5. This most recent one was different from the previous (what a week or two ago?).

Al Roker was talking about it. I can't quote the details.

[robdogbucky]

6. Could have been a factor in the disappearance of

The Anasazi and the Ho Ho Kam as well.

Anthropologists have often wondered what changes caused them to vacate the area.

One theory is climate change so drastic that it brought drought, starvation, etc.



Nature bats last.

[mysuzuki2]

7. Arizona is being punished by god

for electing racist officials and passing racist laws. No wait, forget it. God only punishes people for doing things that fundies don't like.

[lonestarnot]

8. Common.

[phantom power]

9. We see them a few times a year. The July 5th one was extra spectacular, though.