Wondering about dust storms (Phoenix, Scottsdale: 2014, rentals, house)

[phetaroi]

First, note that I said wondering...not worrying.

How often to they usually happen, how long do they last?

What problem is it for homeowners? Can you still use your air conditioning during them?

Thanks...a potential person moving in.

[AZgarden]

They happen 3-4 times a year, mostly in the heat of summer or monsoon season and depending on where you live, they make a mess. Important to be inside during the storm. If you are driving, its important to pull to the side of the road and turn your lights off. There have been pile ups on the freeway due to these massive storms. Yes you still use your AC with no problem. Its blowing dirt and dust and isn't too dangerous, just a big nuisance.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

They happen 3-4 times a year, mostly in the heat of summer or monsoon season and depending on where you live, they make a mess. Important to be inside during the storm. If you are driving, its important to pull to the side of the road and turn your lights off. There have been pile ups on the freeway due to these massive storms. Yes you still use your AC with no problem. Its blowing dirt and dust and isn't too dangerous, just a big nuisance.

That dust and Dirt is the carrier for Valley Fever. It is where the coccidioidin live. Valley fever is a disease caused by a fungus that gets into your body through your lungs. It can make you feel like you have a cold or the flu and may cause a rash.

[AZgarden]

Yes, this is true. I meant the dust and dirt isn't too dangerous to a house, AC system, auto, or landscape. It is dangerous, definitely, if you are outside in it and are breathing. LOL

[Galaxie Girl]

I haven't lived there, but we own rentals in Scottsdale and have been there during September one year and experienced a couple. One thing I noticed is that any little crack/draft you have in your dwelling (around windows, doors, etc.), you will find brown dust blown in, so you'll have to clean it up. Probably want to change your hvac filter fairly often, at least in summer. Maybe monthly. Didn't seem like it lasted very long, maybe 10 minutes?

Here's a couple links I found about them:

Haboob - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Haboob: Pictures, Info & Why They Exist

From the second link:

When Do They Occur?


Summertime in Phoenix and Scottsdale is the most "stormy" time. It's considered the second rainy season that occurs each year (the first occurring in winter) in Scottsdale.
The Arizona monsoon season usually occurs between July and August (sometimes into September).
It's during this monsoon season that we have the most thunderstorms. And since haboobs are initiated by thunderstorms, you can expect to see at least one between the months of July through September in Phoenix.
Sometimes they occur in much greater frequency. The summer of 2011 was the summer of ha-boobs. Those of us who have lived here for years, had never seen anything like it.
We had 3 within two weeks. And many more thereafter.

[Steve Pickering]

In the ten years I lived there I saw dust storms in every season at one time or another.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

That dust and Dirt is the carrier for Valley Fever. It is where the coccidioidin live. Valley fever is a disease caused by a fungus that gets into your body through your lungs. It can make you feel like you have a cold or the flu and may cause a rash.

You're quite right! V.F. can go from feeling nothing (the lucky ones) to as bad as death and various maladies in between those two outcomes.
Dust storms happen, there's almost always plenty of warning so you can shut down the a/c (as suggested) and close up the windows. If you leave the a/c on you've got a good chance that you're sucking outside air into your house unless it's real,real tight.

"So change your filter after even the smallest dust storm. And change it once a month during air-conditioning season. Arizona is a dusty place, even when we don’t have dust storms. One more tip: If you’re using a cheap ($1) air filter, it probably won’t catch all of the dust that sneaks into your home. In that case, the dust will pass right through the filter and into your ducts and vents—which will blow it right back into your house. Invest in a one-inch, pleated filter that costs around $4, and change it monthly."
Can a dust storm harm my air conditioning system? | Rosie On The House

Air quality : Does A Dust Storm Affect Your Indoor Air? | AirePros LLC | Air Conditioning Phoenix AZ

[sandy6879]

They make a mess. If you have a pool, you'll need to run the system right after it passes to clear up the water. I would say more than 3-4 times a year, but a lot depends where in the valley you live. We get them quite often in the summer, definitely more than 3-4 times. We got one about 2 weeks ago too but it was quick. You get plenty of notice. The first one we encountered, I had no idea what it was. We went in a fast food place to get something to eat, came outside and it was pitch black. Definitely smart to not drive in them, since you never know if it'll be a strong one or a more mild one.

[sugarsugar]

Coincidentally, I just finished reading an article about the dust and valley fever. I will link it below. I vaguely remembered hearing about valley fever in the past, but I seem to see the topic coming up more frequently of late.

After what I've read, I probably won't view a dust storm in the same way...not that I thought they were all giggles and kicks since I have OK dust bowl survivors (and not) in the family tree, but the VF aspect takes things up a notch.

Dana Goodyear: The Valley-Fever Menace : The New Yorker

[Ponderosa]

Most people coming here come from areas where there are also fungal diseases and such. The midwest and south have histoplasmosis, the northwest has the deadly cryptococcus gattii. The north and northeast have Lyme disease. And almost everywhere but here has to deal with aspergillus on a recurring basis. In fact, there are more cases of pulmonary fungal infections from histoplasmosis in the south and in the midwest than there are valley fever cases in the west. Does anyone in those areas worry a whole lot about it? No. And most people here don't give it a second thought either. Sorry for those who do have symptomatic cases, but they remain a tiny minority of the folks living in the affected areas.