During coverage of the massive dust storms that have recently hit the Valley, you might have picked up on a new word -- haboob.

The “mild” temperatures of July — during what weather officials have described as a more active monsoon compared to the last two years — might sound similar to the old Alka-Seltzer commercial: “Oh, what a relief it is.”

A winter storm brought snow to the Tucson area and hail and sleet to the Phoenix metropolitan area Wednesday, disrupting flights, making for slushy rush-hour commutes and creating the rare sight of flurries at a professional golf event in southern Arizona.

Homeowners who survived the initial onslaught of harsh weather late last week might still want to take a number of precautions, as late-night temperatures are expected to stay in the low- to mid-30s through at least Tuesday.

In an article ominously, but I'm sure inaccurately, titled, "Senator Russell Pearce: Final Remarks," posted Nov. 10 on a local political blog, Senator Pearce provided his explanation of why he was soundly defeated two days earlier by his Republican challenger, Jerry Lewis.