While monsoon rains often bring cooler temperatures and beneficial rainfall, the winds produced by thunderstorms can kick up the dust. A dust storm reduced visibility in the Phoenix area on Thursday.

Drivers were greeted by low visibility in the Phoenix metro on Thursday as a dust storm pushed into the region. Dust storms are just one hazard residents of the Southwest have to deal with during monsoon season.

While dust storms can happen at any time of year, they are often kicked up by the winds produced by thunderstorms in the monsoon season. A powerful monsoon storm is responsible for yesterday's dust in the Phoenix metro. This same storm also brought heavy rain, gusty wind and hail to the area.

The WeatherRadar shows the risk of more monsoonal storms across the Four Corners region today. In addition to dust storms, monsoonal moisture may also lead to flash flooding. Cities like Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., and Albuquerque, N.M. should be on alert for flooding today.

Remember to pull over if you encounter a dust storm. Now is also a good time to make sure your Weather & Radar app alerts are turned on.