Dust storms are natural phenomenon where strong winds sweep up dust from arid areas into the atmosphere and carry them over long distances. Uncertainty in the aerosol direct radiative effect (DRE) of dust is partly due to unresolved characteristics of dust particles, such as size, morphology, and mineralogy, in source regions. In this study, we address this gap by measuring these variables to refine our understanding of the DRE and, consequently, how dust influences the climate. Dust particles were collected on SEM stubs in a flat-plate sampler during a dust storm in the northwestern Sonoran Desert on 28 February 2023. Individual particles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) techniques. The particles ranged in size from 5.73 μm ≤d_(v )≤177.31 μm. The dust particles were highly aspherical, with a median aspect ratio (AR) of 1.5, and an AR range of 1.08 to 3.25. The median AR value is in good agreement with other studies from various dust source regions and shows no dependence on size. SEM-EDX analysis of 31 particles identified a range of elements, including Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, In, and Sn. Using our classification scheme, supported by XRD analyses, we categorized these particles into eight classes, with feldspar and quartz being the most prominent types. The calculated dust density was 2.68 ×10^3 kg m^(-3) and is within range of the typical density of dust aerosols.