National Weather ServiceDust Storm WarningVTEC DS.WArchive to October 1, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 350 dust storm warnings in 2025 and 71 a year on average in 2008-2025; New Mexico, Arizona and Texas got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 137, 109% above the average of 66 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a dust storm warning?
A dust storm warning means blowing dust will cut visibility to a quarter mile or less, a severe danger to drivers. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many dust storm warnings a year?
National count: each dust storm warning 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) | 137 |
| 2025 | 350 |
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2023 | 81 |
| 2022 | 183 |
| 2021 | 99 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2018 | 93 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2010 | 33 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2008 | 28 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
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 1, 2026.
Which states get the most dust storm warnings?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A dust storm warning covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 61 | 18 | 214 |
| Arizona | 48 | 31 | 56 |
| Texas | 25 | 8 | 79 |
| California | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| Kansas | 10 | 3 | 22 |
| Nevada | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Colorado | 7 | 3 | 6 |
| Nebraska | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Washington | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Illinois | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Idaho | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Indiana | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Oregon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arkansas | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Missouri | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest dust storm warnings in AreaZine's record
NWS SpokaneWarningSeptember 25, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Adams, WA
Expired 4:00 p.m. PDT, September 25, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningSeptember 16, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: La Paz, Yuma and Imperial, AZ and CA
Expired 6:45 p.m. PDT, September 16, 2026
NWS TucsonWarningAugust 30, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Pima, AZ
Expired 7:15 p.m. PDT, August 30, 2026
NWS TucsonWarningAugust 27, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Pima, AZ
Expired 6:30 p.m. PDT, August 27, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningAugust 23, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Maricopa and Pinal, AZ
Expired 8:30 p.m. PDT, August 23, 2026
NWS TucsonWarningAugust 23, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Pima, AZ
Expired 6:45 p.m. PDT, August 23, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningAugust 19, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Maricopa, AZ
Expired 12:00 a.m. PDT, August 20, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningAugust 19, 2026
Dust Storm Warning: Maricopa and Pinal, AZ
Expired 8:45 p.m. PDT, August 19, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.