A haze across SR 347 is gathering and may precede a dust storm. (ADOT)

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a dust storm warning for northern Pinal County, including Maricopa until 8 p.m.

At 6:55 p.m., a dust storm was moving northward over Pinal County and into the Phoenix area. Less than a quarter-mile visibility with strong wind in excess of 40 mph was reported through Doppler radar. The storm may make travel life-threatening.

Besides Maricopa, impacted cities are expected to be Chandler, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Queen Creek, Gilbert, Tempe, Apache Junction and Laveen. It is expected to impact Interstate 10 and I-17, as well.

Motorists should not drive into a dust storm.

Raquel Hendrickson
Raquel, a.k.a. Rocky, is a sixth-generation Arizonan who spent her formative years in the Missouri Ozarks. After attending Temple University in Philadelphia, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and has been in the newspaper business since 1990. She has been a sports editor, general-assignment reporter, business editor, arts & entertainment editor, education reporter, government reporter and managing editor. After 16 years in the Verde Valley-Sedona, she moved to Maricopa in 2014. She loves the outdoors, the arts, great books and all kinds of animals.