Haboob - Intense Sandstorm Formation

Haboob moving across the Llano Estacado toward...Image via Wikipedia

   A haboob (Arabic هبوب) is a type of intense sandstorm commonly observed in arid regions throughout the world. There is almost no visibility in close proximity when inside the area covered by the haboob (as can be seen in the video below).
   During thunderstorm formation, winds move in a direction opposite to the storm's travel, and they will move from all directions into the thunderstorm. When the storm collapses and begins to release precipitation, wind directions reverse, gusting outward from the storm and generally gusting the strongest in the direction of the storm's travel.
   When this downdraft, or "downburst", reaches the ground, dry, loose sand from the desert setting is essentially blown up, creating a wall of sediment preceding the storm cloud. This wall of sand can be up to 100 km (60 miles) wide and several kilometers in elevation. At their strongest, haboob winds can travel at 35-50 km/h (20-30 mph), and they may approach with little to no warning.

via: YouTube
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  1. wow its so dark inside the storm, never knew that before.
    thanks and +1

  2. That way darker that I imagined. I wonder what it does to the paint job on your car.

  3. That dust storm seems scary, I would not drive through there.

  4. Wow! Amazing view! I wish I see it in real.