'It's going right for Phoenix' A veteran storm chaser faces down a monster haboob

On August 25, 2025, storm chaser Mike Olbinski photographed a massive haboob forming over Phoenix, a significant event following a lackluster monsoon season. Forecasts indicated this storm could be the most impactful dust storm since July 2011, with potential power outages and damage across the Valley. Olbinski, known for his time-lapse photography, traveled south to capture the storm's development as towering clouds emerged over the Catalina Mountains. The haboob's formation resulted from rain-cooled downdrafts lifting desert dust into the air, creating a dramatic visual spectacle. As he packed his gear, Olbinski noted, “I’ve never seen a dust storm form like this from that direction.

” The excitement among storm chasers heightened as they anticipated the storm's arrival. This event underscored the unique challenges and thrill of storm chasing, where timing can make or break a photographer's work. Olbinski's commitment to capturing such phenomena illustrates the passion that drives storm chasers to pursue nature's most powerful displays.