Tag: haboob

This towering cloud of dust is known as a haboob, and while it appears apocalyptic, it is a relatively common occurrence in parts of the world, including the U.S. southwest and the Middle East. Haboobs often form when a collapsing thunderstorm releases a downburst of cold air. That wind picks up loose dust along the ground and creates a wall of sediment that may be as much as 100 kilometers wide and several kilometers tall. Inside the haboob, winds can reach speeds as high as 100 kph and visibility can be reduced to nearly zero. Because of this, the storms can be quite dangerous, especially to anyone who attempts to drive during one. (Image credit: D. Bryant)

This aerial photo shows the leading edge of a haboob–an intense dust storm–sweeping across Texas last week. Although dust can be stirred up under many circumstances, haboobs are a specific meteorological phenomenon with winds as high as 100 kph and towering clouds of dust kilometers high. This particular storm swept through five US states last week along an incoming cold front. The winds accompanying the cold front swept up silt, dirt, and dust from the drought-ridden Southwest and carried it along to envelope towns and cities along the way. Although the term is Arabic in origin, haboobs occur throughout the world, typically at the leading edge of a cold front or thunderstorm.  (Photo credit: R. Scott)