First Major Haboob of 2012 Swallows Up the Valley

New Times freelance photographer Andrew Pielage captured some amazing photos of Saturday's Haboob.

Here's his report: "I had just left Tempe Camera and was headed to meet my brother for dinner. Pulling out of the parking lot, I got first glimpse of the bright red, orange and yellow glow on the horizon to the East. I knew exactly what it was: Our first major Haboob of the season and it was heading right for me. Luckily I was only a few minutes away for a pre-determined viewpoint. As I raced up to the viewpoint, I could see the wall of dust start to block out the sky. Reaching the top, I had made it just in time. With the wind now gusting and the thick, sand-like dust blasting my face, I knew I only had a few minutes to get the shots I wanted. It is one thing to see it from the ground, but when you are on top of a mountain and you still have to look up to see the top of it you really start to grasp the size and magnitude of the Haboob."

Photos by Andrew Pielage