PHOENIX HABOOB HALTS FLIGHTS, CAUSES HAVOC AT SKY HARBOR DURING MONSOON SEASON
PHOENIX, Arizona – August 26, 2025:A huge dust storm, or haboob, rolled through Phoenix on Monday evening, August 25, and stopped flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for a bit. The bad weather cut visibility and brought strong winds, so planes couldn’t take off or land for over an hour. This event, part of Arizona’s monsoon season, messed up flight schedules, delaying or canceling many flights and impacting lots of people.
The dust storm, followed by rain and thunderstorms, made it almost impossible to see in some areas. Though the airport reopened later that night, delays of 15 to 30 minutes (or longer) lasted. The storm knocked out power for over 50,000 customers across the Valley and Maricopa County, adding to the mess.
What a Monsoon Storm Can Do
This dust storm was a textbook haboob, which is common in dry places like Arizona. They usually happen when a thunderstorm collapses, sending strong winds rushing out and lifting sand and dust from the desert. This creates a massive wall of dust that moves fast and can stretch for miles.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had warned people about the dust storm in parts of the Valley and Pinal County, including near major highways. Experts said these storms are normal during monsoon season, but their intensity can change a lot and be dangerous.
Why Aviation and Safety Matter
The airport had to stop flights because the dust made it too hard to see, which is dangerous for planes. Pilots need to see well enough to take off and land safely, and the dust made that impossible. Strong, gusty winds didn’t help either, because they make flying even harder.
According to Heather Shelbrack, the airport’s Deputy Aviation Director for Public Relations, stopping flights was necessary to keep everyone safe. The PHX Sky Train, which takes people to the terminals, also shut down for a while, causing more problems for getting around.
How the Storm Affected Things
Besides the airport, the monsoon storm caused problems all over Phoenix. High winds knocked down trees and damaged things in cities like Gilbert. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) told drivers to pull over and wait if they encountered the dust storm because driving in zero visibility is very risky.
The power outages happened because of the storm’s high winds and rain. Utility companies like Arizona Public Service (APS) and Salt River Project (SRP) said thousands of customers lost power. Crews worked to restore electricity right away, but the number of people affected showed how far-reaching the storm was.
What Monsoon Season Means
Arizona’s monsoon season, from mid-June to late September, is a time of high humidity and rainfall that often brings crazy weather. Dust storms are a known part of this season, but how bad they get depends on local conditions. The dry conditions earlier in the season probably made the dust storm worse because there was more loose dust to pick up.
This event reminds people that monsoon weather can be wild. It shows we need to stay alert and have strong infrastructure to handle these storms. Arizona has spent money on campaigns to teach people how to stay safe during these events.
How It Affects the Economy and Operations
Even though the airport only stopped flights for a bit, it still messed up flight schedules. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tracks these delays, and the data showed that flights in and out of Phoenix were affected. Many planes had to land elsewhere, which made things even more complicated for airlines.
This shows how vulnerable the aviation system is to weather. For airlines, these events mean higher costs, scheduling headaches, and the need to find new flights for passengers. For travelers, it means trouble, missed flights, and the stress of delays.
What’s Next?
Going forward, authorities and airlines will keep using weather forecasts and being proactive to deal with monsoon season. The NWS, airport officials, and air traffic control give timely warnings to help reduce risks.
The recent haboob in Phoenix gives experts useful data to better understand these weather patterns. It reinforces the need for a coordinated response system to keep people safe and minimize disruption at one of the nation’s busiest airports. Though challenging, the event showed that the safety measures in place work well in extreme weather.
