Weather Terminology — Understanding Watches, Warnings, and Advisories
Watches mean that widespread severe weather is possible.
Warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Dust Storm, or in rare cases, Tornado) mean that life-threatening weather is about to occur, or has been reported. Take action immediately.
Flood Advisories mean heavy rains will cause minor flooding of washes, streams, and typical flood-prone areas. Flooding in this situation is usually not serious. If the flooding does become life threatening, then the flood advisory is upgraded to a Flash Flood Warning.
Warnings are not issued for lightning, mainly because most thunderstorms, no matter how weak, produce deadly cloud-to-ground lightning.
Dust storms are more common in the early part of the monsoon, near agricultural areas, and near Willcox Playa in Cochise County. Use caution in these areas any time thunderstorms are nearby.
TAKE Action
Dust storms usually last a few minutes, and up to an hour at most. Stay where you are until the dust storm passes.
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm. If you encounter a dust storm
Immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway -- do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
PULL OFF! LIGHTS OFF! FOOT OFF!
If you encounter a dust storm while driving, pull off the road immediately.
Turn off your headlights and taillights, put your vehicle in "PARK," and take your foot off the brake (so your brake lights are not illuminated.) Other motorists may tend to follow taillights in an attempt to get through the dust storm, and may strike your vehicle from behind.
Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
BE Informed
Know the emergency plans for your area.
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a dust storm hazard.
Dust Storm Watch—Tells you when and where dust storms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.
Dust Storm Warning—Issued when visibility is 1/2 mile or less due to blowing dust or sand, and wind speeds of 30 miles an hour or more.
Research additional information on dust storms, beginning with the following resources.
National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/
Pull Aside, Stay Alive. http://www.pullasidestayalive.org/
Credits:
Created with images by osgoodcs0 - "lightening storm night" • WikimediaImages - "lightning thunder lightning storm" • Anders Jildén - "untitled image" • John Fowler - "untitled image"Photo credits - James BO Insogna