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Wednesday

Dust Gauge is set to green, indicating a Low dust warning.
Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Mostly light winds

Thursday

Dust Gauge is set to green, indicating a Low dust warning.
Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Mostly light winds

Friday

Dust Gauge is set to green, indicating a Low dust warning.
Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Northwesterly winds of 10-15 mph

Saturday

Dust Gauge is set to green, indicating a Low dust warning.
Stagnation: Morning stagnation

Wind: Westerly winds of 10-15 mph; storm outflow winds possible in the evening/night

Sunday

Dust Gauge is set to green, indicating a Low dust warning.
Stagnation: Morning stagnation

Wind: Northwesterly winds of 10-15 mph; storm outflow winds possible in the evening/night

Discussion

A classic wave of monsoonal thunderstorm/rain activity swept through central Arizona yesterday, this time from the northeast. A line of gusty winds led the way, resulting in dust in western Pinal County. All PM10 monitors in western Pinal County saw a substantial bump in PM10. However, rain quickly followed, knocking down dust.

Looking ahead, we will have the potential for a repeat wave out of the north or northeast this evening/night. A low-pressure disturbance from the east will provide the needed atmospheric assistance for this. Details are hard difficult to pin down, as always, but brief blowing dust may be possible again.

After today, the monsoon does finally look to calm down a bit, at least for the Valley. Instead, we'll have to contend with the heat. Temperatures will approach 110°F, and the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Thursday-Monday.

PM10 will return to being mostly locally driven, though we can't rule out outflow winds from distant thunderstorms in the evening/night. However, the recent rain should help to limit PM10 levels.

The dust risk will be Low each day for now.

Check back again tomorrow morning for the next update!

- M. Graves
ADEQ Meteorologist