The same Santa Ana winds spreading wildfire across southern California are blowing the smoke over the Pacific Ocean, not into Arizona.

Metro Phoenix was under hazy skies again on Friday. The dust was a result of a haboob that swept across New Mexico on Wednesday, pushing a wave of thick dust into southern Arizona and metro Phoenix.

A view of central Phoenix as an inversion traps air pollution and dust from thunderstorms in New Mexico on June 20, 2024.

Wind speeds around 10 miles per hour are ideal for dispelling pollution, but anything over 20 miles per hour will likely stir up dust. And with minimal rain since Aug. 22 in Phoenix, conditions on ...