Storm forces unprecedented ground stop at one of the nation’s busiest hubs
On Monday, August 25, 2025, a wall of dust the size of a skyscraper rolled into Phoenix, turning daylight into a thick, brown haze. Known locally as a haboob, the dust storm was driven by thunderstorm‑generated winds that peaked at 70 mph as they slammed into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Airport officials, fearing for aircraft safety and passenger health, issued an immediate ground stop, pausing all takeoffs and landings for several hours.
Viewers of FOX 10 Phoenix saw the chaos in a timelapse: planes lining up on the tarmac, lights flickering, and the dust swallowing the entire terminal complex. The storm’s sheer force shredded the roof of Terminal 4, ripping panels away and exposing the interior to the howling gale. Airport spokesman Gregory E. Roybal confirmed that the damage included multiple leaks, broken windows, and scattered debris throughout the public areas.
Ripple effects on travelers and the wider city
With the airfield shut, dozens of flights were delayed or rerouted to alternate airports in the region. Passengers faced long lines, sudden overnight stays, and a cascade of missed connections that spilled well into the next day. The airport’s baggage handling system hiccupped, leaving some luggage stranded on the conveyor belts while crews wrestled with power outages caused by the storm’s wind‑torn lines.
Beyond the airport, the haboob blinded drivers on the freeways and knocked out electricity in several neighborhoods. Emergency services responded to multiple calls for stranded motorists, and schools in the Phoenix metro area were forced to cancel classes for the remainder of the day.
Industry analysts are already tallying the cost. Preliminary estimates from the Arizona Department of Transportation suggest that the disruption could cost airlines upwards of $15 million in delayed crew hours, passenger compensation, and airport repair work. Engineers are slated to inspect Terminal 4’s structural integrity over the next 48 hours, while maintenance crews begin the painstaking job of clearing dust from runways, navigation lights, and aircraft surfaces.
Local officials have labeled the event “one of the most severe monsoon‑season storms on record,” noting that the combination of high wind speeds and dense dust is rare for the region. Meteorologists attribute the extreme conditions to a slow‑moving supercell that fed the haboob with a continuous supply of dry, desert air, amplifying the storm’s intensity far beyond a typical summer thunderstorm.
As crews work around the clock, travelers are urged to stay alert for further updates from their airlines and to monitor official Sky Harbor channels for real‑time information on runway reopenings and gate assignments. The airport aims to resume normal operations by late Thursday, though full restoration of damaged facilities may take weeks.