National Weather ServiceBlowing Dust AdvisoryVTEC DU.YArchive to October 11, 2026

Blowing Dust Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued

The National Weather Service issued 127 blowing dust advisories in 2025 and 60 a year on average in 2008-2025; Arizona, Texas and New Mexico got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 77, 47% above the average of 53 for those months in 2008-2025.

What is a blowing dust advisory?

A blowing dust advisory means blowing dust will reduce visibility and make driving hazardous, below warning values. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.

Warning, watch or advisory: the three levels compared

Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.

How many blowing dust advisories a year?

127 blowing dust advisories in 2025

National count: each blowing dust advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers

Year	Count
2026 (through September)	80
2025	127
2024	53
2023	58
2022	95
2021	51
2020	31
2019	19
2018	48
2017	74
2016	97
2015	66
2014	123
2013	75
2012	83
2011	25
2010	15
2009	21
2008	10

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

When in the year?

Blowing Dust Advisories by month, 2008-2025

Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

Which states get the most blowing dust advisories?

Arizona gets the most: 23 a year in 2021-2025

Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A blowing dust advisory covering two states counts in both.

State	A year, 2021-2025	A year, 2008-2025	2025
Arizona	23	28	25
Texas	17	11	50
New Mexico	13	7	44
Colorado	10	4	8
California	9	10	4
Kansas	9	4	11
Nevada	7	4	14
Nebraska	5	2	1
Washington	3	3	0
Oklahoma	3	1	6
Oregon	2	2	1
Arkansas	1	1	6
Illinois	1	0	5
Missouri	0	0	2
Indiana	0	0	2
Minnesota	0	0	0
North Dakota	0	0	0
Utah	0	0	0
Alaska	0	0	1
Michigan	0	0	1
Ohio	0	0	1
Idaho	0	1	0
Mississippi	0	0	0
Montana	0	0	0

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.