Weather Explained: How and where do dust storms occur

Dust storms are real terrors that sweep across parts of the world, potentially taking lives as they go. There are three kinds of storms that you might umbrella under the term dust storm, but each is unique in how they are formed and in what they are made of. The three types of storms include a dust storm, a sand storm, and a haboob. To truly understand these incredible forces of nature, we’ll examine how and where sandstorms, dust storms, and haboobs form.

1- The three dusty storms

Before we delve into the ways you can differentiate between sandstorms, dust storms and haboobs, we must define what dust is. Dust can be made up of many things, like bacteria, salt crystals from the sea or the ocean, pollution, pollen... These dust particles are all around us, on our bookshelves, on the ground, and in the air. We are constantly breathing it in, but our bodies have natural filters, like our noses, that help keep us healthy. The fact these dust particles can’t be seen by the naked eye and can blanket regions make dust storms so scary.

- Sandstorms

Sandstorms usually take place in the desert where there is an abundance of, you guessed it, sand. Sand is a lot heavier than the other types of dirt and dust, so it needs exceptionally strong winds to lift it from the ground. Even with these massive strong winds, the height of a sandstorm will only ever reach 50 feet at its highest. That is still high enough to blast sand everywhere.

- Haboobs

Haboobs are a result of severe thunderstorms that create strong winds. Haboobs are very similar to sandstorms as they usually happen in deserts as well, carrying sand. But the main difference between them, why we can say every haboob is a sandstorm but not ever sandstorm is a haboob, is that haboobs are localized and sandstorms can stretch for miles.

- Dust storms

Dust storms don’t have to be caused like thunderstorms and nor are the particles heavy like in a sandstorm, but rather a jet stream or even just a lack of rainfall in an area. While you normally hear of dust storms happening in deserts, they can happen anywhere if there is enough loose dirt and lack of precipitation in the area.

2- How dust storms form

Whether caused by a jetstream, a thunderstorm, or just a lot of wind in the plains, the basics are the same. Dust storms can only happen if there is a large accumulation of loose dirt and earth in an area, and the type of dust dictates which type of storm it is. In deserts, you will find haboobs and sandstorms to be the main contenders, while in areas of drought, a dust storm is more prevalent. A thunderstorm can cause any dust storm , however, haboobs and sandstorms almost exclusively come from thunderstorms, and with that thunderstorm, they will need an incredibly strong updraft. This updraft will keep the rain that is in the heavy thunder clouds suspended. This rain will go through the water cycle, evaporating and creating a bigger, much darker cloud until it is too heavy that not even the updraft can hold it up. The rain will then rush down much faster than in a typical thunderstorm . The force of the rain will create a wind of its own and that wind, combined with the earthy particulates or sand will result in a massive haboob, dangerous and concentrated.

Dust storms are a little more common. Dust storms can simply be because the landscape has no mountains, hills, or trees to slow wind until it just builds into quite the force that it can lift thousands of pounds worth of dust. The other option is a curving jetstream  that moves in circular motions, bringing incredibly strong winds to the surface of the Earth and then throwing them back up. However, when these winds are at the Earth’s surface, they may pick up sand and dirt, and since they are in a jetstream, the dust that was once on the surface is now thrown up into the air.

 3- Where are dust storms found?

Now that you know the difference between dust storms, sandstorms and haboobs, you are probably wondering exactly where they are commonly found... One simple answer is that dust storms can be found anywhere where rain has not fallen, and there aren’t enough obstacles that could slow the wind. If the wind is allowed to gain  strength, you can be sure that some wicked windstorm is heading your way. Other than that, you’ll find dust storms, sandstorms, and haboobs in a dry, arid climate such as the deserts of Eurasia and Africa as well as the southwestern United States. Dust Storms are most often found in the summertime, but they are not limited to just the hotter months of the year. If the conditions are right, a nasty wind storm picking up dirt and tiny particles can sweep through your town in any season.

4- Dust storm protocol

There are dust storm warning systems, so if you are feeling uneasy and you know the climate and area you are residing in is prone to heavy winds, storms, or even haboobs, tune in to your local weather station! Dust storms are hard to track on our space satellites as they are made of Earth, so they don’t show up the same way clouds or water might, but your weather stations should have access to the special satellites that can. If one has been spotted in your area, there are a few things you’ll want to remember as airborne dirt and grime can cause a lot of health problems:

1. Don’t drive. If you are driving, pull over before it gets bad and stay put.

2. Protect your eyes, nose, and mouth. Wear a mask, glass, and/or goggles to keep yourself safe.

3. Have an emergency source of water. It is about to get very dry, and you’re going to need some hydration.

4. Keep a blanket with you in your car. If you should get stuck and are pulled over on the side of the road, you can use your blanket as another layer of shield from potential particulates that may enter your car.

5. Visibility is low, and the danger is high. Be safe, be smart, be still. It will pass soon. It doesn’t matter if a dust storm, sandstorm or haboob hits your area, it will be messy. No matter how hard you try to clean off the dust or sand, you’ll be finding it in nooks and crannies for a while. You’ll want to immediately get your vehicle detailed inside and out so there is no damage to the paint or interior If a dust storm, sandstorm or haboob blasts your house, spray it down immediately for the same reason

While these windstorms can be frightening, we have a lot more information about them than we did even 100 years ago so that they are less of a surprise and a lot less deadly. As long as you know the signs and what to do should one of these dusty storms occur, you can keep yourself safe and secure.

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