Powerful Dust Storm Sweeps Through Brawley and Surrounding Areas in Imperial County
A significant dust storm swept through Brawley earlier this afternoon, following a series of thunderstorms that began forming in the region. The storm brought gusty winds reaching up to 40 mph, drastically reducing visibility to just a few miles in some areas.
The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a Dust Advisory for central Imperial County, which is in effect until 5:45 PM PDT. A wall of dust, moving northeast at 35 mph, was observed along a line from northeast of Brawley to near Holtville and Calexico. This advisory warns of less than one mile of visibility and strong winds in excess of 40 mph, impacting areas such as El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Imperial, Holtville, and surrounding highways, including I-8, Route 78, and Route 111.
Meteorologists have indicated that the thunderstorms in the area are responsible for the blowing dust that has been observed across the valley. The dust storm originated from the north and is moving southward, impacting not only Brawley but also other parts of Imperial County, including Imperial and El Centro.
Flash Flood Warnings have also been issued for parts of Imperial County, including West Central and Southwestern areas. Thunderstorms have produced between 1 and 2 inches of rain, leading to life-threatening flash flooding in areas such as Ocotillo and Coyote Wells. These warnings are in effect until 7:00 PM PDT and 8:15 PM PDT, respectively. Residents are advised to avoid flooded roads and to stay aware of their surroundings as conditions continue to evolve.
The slow-moving nature of these storms means that showers are unlikely to impact the area. The overall outlook for the region shows a 10-20% chance of isolated storms today in the valley, with any storms that do develop likely to produce winds of over 35 mph, blowing dust, and brief heavy downpours.
The situation is ongoing, and residents in the affected areas are advised to exercise extreme caution, particularly on the roads. The National Weather Service warns against driving through flooded areas and urges everyone to stay informed as conditions evolve.