Thursday, July 7, 2011

So What Is a Haboob Anyway?

This is what we watched spread across the Phoenix skyline on Tuesday night.
It is called a Haboob


Photo courtesy Arizona Republic

Or in other words . . .
A powerful sandstorm caused when a thunderstorm collapses.
The intense winds then stir up loose sand as it travels across the ground.

This particular storm has been described as the most powerful in Phoenix over the past 100 years.
It reportedly was two miles high and traveled at speeds up to 60 miles an hour.

Pretty impressive, I must say.

And I almost missed it.

My daughter called from Colorado to tell me our storm was on their news. I asked, "What storm?" Then I looked out the front window and gasped. The storm was far in our distance, but we watched it travel about 20 miles in 20 minutes--completely engulfing everything in its path.

We were glad to be north of it and inside.
But storms like this and the fact that you can touch an outside doorknob at 7 in the morning and burn your hand
are good reasons why most of Arizona leaves town in July.

Which also doesn't make it the best time for a wedding.
But, the few people who remain in town should have a fun time when they come to Kristen's reception.

Only one more week to go!

6 comments:

Shannon said...

I heard about that. I've seen smaller ones before, but that one sounds like one amazing display of Mother Nature. Good luck with the last of the wedding plans!

Lisa @ Pulsipher Page said...

We were at the movies during the Haboob and missed the whole thing. Best of luck with the wedding! I'm sure it'll be wonderful!

Susan Anderson said...

I lived in the desert (Rancho Mirage, CA) from the time I was six until I turned eleven. I remember once that my dad fried an egg on the sidewalk. It was crazy.

We still played out there all the time, though, even in the hottest weather. It's amazing what a kid can adjust to!

Hope the wedding is lovely. I know it will be, heat notwithstanding!

=)

CB said...

The Haboob was on our news up here in Idaho too! What a crazy phenomenon and messy too!!

I bet you are so happy it didn't happen during the wedding - Yikes!!

Wishing you luck with the wedding so near -Hope you are still breathing easy :-D

alpinekleins said...

I hope you all weathered the dust storm ok! We watched the news and were totally in amazement at the photos we were seeing and how fast it was traveling. Reminded me of something right out of the prophecies of the last days :)

Hope you get unburied soon :)

Kristin

Unknown said...

I still can't get over the footage I've watched of that storm....looked like something out of an apocalyptic movie....glad you're alright.