Haboob

From the Arabic word “haab” meaning wind, haboobs are very strong sand and dust storms that form from air that is pushed out and forward in front of a thunderstorm. The winds can reach 60 mph, kicking up dust and sand, creating a billowing wall that can climb to an altitude of 10,000 ft and last for hours. They commonly occur in arid regions of the world, such as the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula. However, Haboobs are not just a foreign weather phenomenon: in Phoenix, Arizona, one to three large dust storms occur in any given year. When they do happen, they have the potential to cause conditions that are hazardous to health and transportation.

Source: Haboob | Wikimedia