50-mile-wide dust storm swirls into Phoenix area

PHOENIX – A massive dust storm has swept into the Phoenix area and drastically reduced visibility across much of the valley.

The wall of dust moved across the desert from the south on Tuesday and descended on the valley by nightfall. KSAZ-TV reported the storm appeared to be roughly 50 miles wide.

The National Weather Service says strong winds with gusts of more than 60 mph were moving northwest through Phoenix and the cities of Avondale, Tempe and Scottsdale. More than a dozen communities in the area also were under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.