Every year, I watch more and more storms push toward the Valley only to hit the heat island.
It's an amazing, maddening spectacle to witness. Storms of considerable size drop down off the high country or come up from the South and huddle around the perimeter of Phoenix. As soon as the front pushes past the barrier, its edges puff up and dissipate. We get nothing but blowing dust and lightning strikes.
We've taken one of the hottest valleys in the US, blanketed it with heat retaining materials and removed all of the plant life that helped reduce evening and nighttime temperatures.
"They paved paradise to put up a parking lot."
= new reply since forum marked as read
in the late 1990's, dust storms were the occasional event.
I don't think it is just the heat island effect alone. With this long drought, as the storms cross the desert, they just suck so much dirt and dust up that by the time they hit Phoenix, we have another Haboob. I am shocked how many 'dust events' we are having.
Monsoon season may be bring some wet to the outskirts but here in North Central Phoenix, we are just seeing mostly dust storms.
It is truly becoming unbearable to live here, and I do wish I could move sooner than I have planned. 
I need to remember to bring a box of Crayola Crayons this time LOL
At least somebody could paint their trim around the roof will a little green or blue or even red. so fucking drab 
