Why is it so hazy again in metro Phoenix? Here's when the dust may clear
Metro Phoenix was under hazy skies again on Friday.
The dust was a result of a haboob that swept across New Mexico on Wednesday, pushing a wave of thick dust into southern Arizona and metro Phoenix.
Ryan Worley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, said the haziness remained despite the afternoon and evening winds that accompanied a storm system east of the Valley.
A temperature inversion was stopping the dust from that storm from settling or mixing as it typically.
Here's what to know about the haze over metro Phoenix and what is causing it.
When will the haze over metro Phoenix go away?
Worley said the haziness could linger longer than originally anticipated. It could last the rest of the day, but it depends on how the wind and potential afternoon storms east of metro Phoenix develop.
What will the weather be like on Friday?
After hitting 115 degrees on Thursday, metro Phoenix was expected to see similar conditions on Friday, Worley said. The high was expected to be 114 degrees with the typical afternoon breeziness.
Areas east of metro Phoenix could see more storms on Friday. While Phoenix's rain chances were just 10-15%, the story could possibly bring gustier winds to the area, Worley said.
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When will it rain in metro Phoenix?
Worley said the possibility for rain would increase over the weekend with a 30-40% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
What is inversion and why is it making the haze worse?
Typically, the temperature decreases as you go up in the atmosphere, which allows the air to mix.
However, a temperature inversion means it's warmer higher up in the atmosphere, which keeps the air closer to the surface trapped and stagnated.
"With the inversion, the air can only go so high," Tetrault said. "The mixing can only occur so close to the surface because nothing can rise above that."
This causes the dust to hang closer to the ground rather than mixing out.
What is a haboob?
People often use the term haboob to describe the huge, dramatic walls of dust that sometimes blow into Phoenix. Dust and sand storms are common in the Middle East, where the Arabic word "haboob" comes from.
In Arizona, the word has come to mean a powerful dust storm with a rolling wall of dust.
Former Arizona Republic reporters Ellie Willard and Abigail Celaya contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why is it so hazy in Phoenix? Here's when the dust may clear
