--- title: "Phoenix hit by two Category 5 haboob dust storms in three days" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/phoenix-hit-by-two-category-5-haboob-dust-storms-in-three-days" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/phoenix-hit-by-two-category-5-haboob-dust-storms-in-three-days" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/phoenix-hit-by-two-category-5-haboob-dust-storms-in-three-days.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/phoenix-hit-by-two-category-5-haboob-dust-storms-in-three-days" category: "Climate" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-06T21:46:22.857Z" source_reported: "2026-08-06T20:30:35.000Z" updated: "2026-08-06T23:00:16.338Z" trust_score: 64 critic_score: 87 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-07T15:01:05.311195+00:00" --- # Phoenix hit by two Category 5 haboob dust storms in three days *Both storms reduced visibility to half a mile and reached wind speeds of 50 mph, researchers said* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 64 of 100, higher is better. Trust 64 because named experts and specific figures are provided, but only one independent full report. - Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87 for clear context, quotes, specific data, and coherent narrative. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15 as language is measured and matches the factual content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Two haboob dust storms hit the Phoenix area on 3 and 6 August 2026, both classified as Category 5 on the dust storm severity scale. - Wind speeds reached about 50 mph (80 kph), and visibility dropped to half a mile (0.8 kilometers) during both storms, according to Arizona State University researchers. - The storms occurred late at night, reducing traffic and preventing significant impacts, as reported by the National Weather Service. - Scientists linked the intensity of the storms to drier-than-normal conditions in the region and the potential influence of human-caused climate change. Two haboob dust storms struck the Phoenix area within three days of each other in early August 2026. Both were classified as Category 5 events on the dust storm severity scale, which researchers at Arizona State University developed using data from 2010 onwards. The storms reduced visibility to half a mile (0.8 kilometers) and reached wind speeds of about 50 mph (80 kph). National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Salerno said the storms occurred later at night, resulting in less traffic and no reports of significant impacts. Randall Cerveny, a professor at Arizona State University, told the Associated Press that the back-to-back Category 5 storms were unprecedented in the region’s records. Only six such storms have been recorded in the past 16 years. Cerveny noted that the Phoenix region has been drier than normal, which may have contributed to the intensity of the storms. Scientists have previously stated that human-caused climate change increases the likelihood of severe drought and heavier storms, which could lead to more intense dust storms in the future. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned the Category 5 classification of the storms or the specific wind speeds and visibility reduction. The CT Insider digest also omitted the link between the storms and human-caused climate change, as well as the quotes from National Weather Service and Arizona State University researchers. ## Who covered it Shares of the 21 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 57% (12) - Centre: 29% (6) - Right: 14% (3) 0 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-07T15:01:05.311195+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 53 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-07T15:15:29.478Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated outlets led on the rarity and severity of the two Category 5 haboob dust storms in Phoenix. All nine reports noted the storms were among the most intense in years, with eight specifying they reached the highest level on the dust storm severity scale. The Associated Press report included wind speeds of about 50 mph and visibility reduced to half a mile. - Eight of the nine left-rated digests and the Associated Press report stated the storms occurred within three days of each other. The Associated Press quoted Arizona State University researchers calling the back-to-back Category 5 events unprecedented in their records, with only six such storms recorded in the last 16 years. - The Associated Press report included climate change as a factor, citing scientists who linked human-caused climate change to increased odds of severe drought and heavier storms. None of the digests mentioned climate change or the role of drought in intensifying the storms. ### Centre - The three centre-rated digests, from Click on Detroit, WSLS, and NY1, all carried the same Associated Press report. They led on the intensity of the storms, describing them as "among the most intense to hit the region in years." The digests included the classification of the storms as Category 5 events and the wind speeds of about 50 mph (80 kph). - The NY1 report, which republished the full Associated Press article, also included the same details as the left-rated reports, such as the timing of the storms, the lack of significant impacts, and the quote from Matt Salerno about reduced traffic. It did not omit the climate change link or the explanation of how haboobs form. ### Right - The right-rated digest from CT Insider led on the intensity of the storms, describing them as "among the most intense to hit the region in years." It included the term "haboob" and noted that the latest storm rolled in three days after the previous one. The digest did not mention the Category 5 classification, the wind speeds, or the visibility reduction. - The CT Insider digest did not include the link to human-caused climate change, the explanation of how haboobs form, or the potential health and safety risks. It also omitted the quotes from Matt Salerno and Randall Cerveny. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 12 - veryHigh: 8 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Reforma](https://reforma.com/azotan-tormentas-de-arena-a-phoenix-dos-veces-esta-semana/ar3253951) — Sandstorms Hit Phoenix Twice This Week - [Newser](https://newser.com/story/394222/2-dust-storms-cover-phoenix.html) — Intense Dust Storms Hit Phoenix - [Las Vegas Review-Journal](https://reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/powerful-haboobs-pound-phoenix-area-twice-this-week-3860328) — Powerful haboobs pound Phoenix area twice this week - [Stuff](https://stuff.co.nz/world-news/361017130/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-th) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/6/haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-week) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [Irish News](https://irishnews.com/news/world/haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-in-a-week-2ECJN5C27FLUPGJSDZ5HRBTVC4) — Haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice in a week - [Breaking News](https://breakingnews.ie/world/haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-in-a-week-1937171.html) — Haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice in a week - [Belfast Telegraph](https://belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-in-a-week/a/159718286.html) — Haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice in a week - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week/article_e0165974-e931-5258-9683-61c14c07d4e3.html) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/haboob-arizona-dust-storm-y87252) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/haboob-arizona-dust-storm-ad1c4c6f751210bf94ebb932217c192d) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [Click on Detroit](https://clickondetroit.com/news/national/2026/08/06/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [SF Gate](https://sfgate.com/news/article/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-22377917.php) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [NY1](https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/ap-top-news/2026/08/06/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [CT Insider](https://ctinsider.com/news/article/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-22377917.php) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [WSLS](https://wsls.com/news/national/2026/08/06/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/06/nation/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [AZCentral](https://azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-weather/2026/08/06/monsoon-rain-on-way-metro-phoenix/91201214007) — Hot, humid, hazy weather hangs over Phoenix. When will rain return? - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/life/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week/article_e4df18cb-e23c-55d4-8918-9f5a32af20d0.html) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week - [The Record](https://therecord.com/life/unusually-intense-haboob-dust-storms-strike-phoenix-twice-this-week/article_bf3c7f2d-4dfd-51e8-9ee4-a3a00766401b.html) — Unusually intense haboob dust storms strike Phoenix twice this week ## Questions **What is a haboob dust storm?** A haboob is a type of intense dust storm caused by strong downdrafts from thunderstorms, which stir up loose dust and dirt. These storms can create massive walls of dust, reducing visibility and posing risks to drivers and public health. The term is commonly used in the U.S. Southwest. **How severe were the Phoenix dust storms in August 2026?** Both storms were classified as Category 5 events on the dust storm severity scale, the highest level. They reduced visibility to half a mile and reached wind speeds of about 50 mph (80 kph). Researchers said the back-to-back storms were unprecedented in the region’s records. **Did the dust storms cause any significant damage?** There were no reports of significant impacts from the storms. National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Salerno said they occurred late at night, resulting in less traffic and fewer disruptions. The reduced visibility and high winds did not lead to major incidents. **What role does climate change play in dust storms?** Scientists have stated that human-caused climate change increases the likelihood of severe drought and heavier storms, which can contribute to more intense dust storms. The drier-than-normal conditions in the Phoenix region were cited as a factor in the August 2026 storms. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/phoenix-hit-by-two-category-5-haboob-dust-storms-in-three-days. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Phoenix hit by two Category 5 haboob dust storms in three days", https://mediabias.news/climate/phoenix-hit-by-two-category-5-haboob-dust-storms-in-three-days