PHOENIX — Strong winds blowing across Arizona on Wednesday are creating dangerous driving conditions, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the southern part of the state, including I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson.
ADOT warns that drivers may encounter gusts up to 45 miles per hour in some areas with the potential for dust storms.
The advisory lasts until 8 p.m.
Tips from ADOT for anyone traveling today:
- Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
- If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately 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, away from where other vehicles may travel.
- 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.
- Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
- Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
- 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 alert that any storm can cause power outages to overhead roadway lighting and traffic signals.
- Drive with caution and treat all intersections without signals as having stop signs in all directions.
Unseasonably warm temperatures coupled with strong winds are creating ideal conditions for a potential wildfire.
Red Flag Warnings have been issued for nearly all of Arizona; the only exception is found along the Colorado River Valley along the western border of the state.
The winds will subside all around the state on Thursday, but Fire Weather Watches will remain in effect for southeastern Arizona.
Arizona Weather
Arizona has seen its fair share of severe weather. Here is a compilation of videos from various storms across the Grand Canyon state.
