Dust Storms: Science, Safety & Survival

Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Community

Discover the facts about dust storms, their global impacts, and how to stay safe. Learn, prepare, and test your knowledge with our interactive game!

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What Are Dust Storms?

Dust storms are walls of dust and debris that are often blown into an area by strong winds from thunderstorms. These walls of dust can be miles long and several thousand feet high.

A specific type of dust storm called a "haboob" occurs as a result of thunderstorm outflow winds. Strong thunderstorm winds can start a dust storm that can drastically reduce visibility.

On any given day, dust storms kick up a lot of dust into our air. Scientists estimate that on average, about 44 billion pounds (20 teragrams) of dust are in Earth's atmosphere at any one time.

Dust Storm: A meteorological phenomenon common in arid regions where strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from bare, dry soil into the atmosphere, reducing visibility and causing breathing problems.

Haboob: A type of intense dust storm carried on an atmospheric gravity current, also known as a weather front. Haboobs occur regularly in arid regions throughout the world and are often caused by thunderstorm outflow.

Dust Storm Approaching Phoenix

A dust storm approaching downtown Phoenix. Credit: NOAA

How Dust Storms Form

Formation Process

Dust storms are caused by very strong winds — often produced by thunderstorms. In dry regions, the winds can pull dust from the ground up into the air, creating a dust storm.

Contributing Factors

  • Flat terrain with few obstacles to slow wind
  • Dry, loose soil or sand
  • Sparse vegetation that would normally hold soil in place
  • Strong wind events, often from thunderstorm outflows

Human Influence

An estimated 25% of dust emissions originates from human activities, including:

  • Deforestation
  • Land degradation
  • Unsustainable land management
  • Climate change
  • Water mismanagement
1

Dry Conditions

Arid or drought conditions create loose, dry soil

2

Strong Winds

Thunderstorms or weather fronts create powerful winds

3

Dust Lifting

Winds lift dust particles from the ground into the air

4

Wall Formation

Dust accumulates into a wall that can be miles long and thousands of feet high

Sources of Atmospheric Dust

Global Distribution

Global Dust Storm Distribution

Primary Regions

  • Middle East
  • North Africa (especially Sahara)
  • Southwest United States
  • Central Asia
  • Australia

Key Statistics

  • 330 million people exposed daily to dust particles
  • About half of atmospheric dust originates in North Africa
  • Dust can travel thousands of kilometers from source areas
  • Increasing frequency in Eastern Mediterranean Region

Health & Environmental Impacts

Health Impacts

Although dust storms may end after just a few minutes, dust can hang in the air and cause problems for days or even months afterward.

Health Impacts Diagram
  • Respiratory System: Breathing dusty air can cause health problems — especially for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions
  • Cardiovascular System: Fine particulate matter can enter the bloodstream, affecting heart function
  • Eyes: Irritation, inflammation, and potential infection
  • Skin: Irritation and exacerbation of existing skin conditions

Sand and dust storm episodes contribute directly to air pollution by increasing particulate matter concentrations. In some regions, dust is a main source of air pollution.

Environmental & Economic Impacts

Agriculture

Crop damage, soil erosion, reduced yield, livestock health issues

Transportation

Reduced visibility causing accidents, flight delays and cancellations, mechanical problems in vehicles and aircraft

Infrastructure

Damage to buildings, clogging of filters and machinery, increased maintenance costs

Water Quality

Contamination of water sources, increased water treatment costs

Historical Events

1930s

The Dust Bowl

The American prairie states experienced a period of severe drought and dust storms called the "Dust Bowl." Massive dust storms, some reaching 10,000 feet in height, swept across the Great Plains, displacing millions of people and causing widespread agricultural devastation.

Dust Bowl Era Photo

A dust storm approaching Stratford, Texas, in April 1935. Credit: NOAA George E. Marsh Album

2011

Phoenix Haboob

One of the largest dust storms in Arizona history hit Phoenix on July 5, 2011. The wall of dust was estimated to be 5,000 to 6,000 feet high and 100 miles wide.

2018

Persian Gulf Dust Storm

A large dust storm over the Persian Gulf caused flight delays for airlines despite appearing beautiful from space in satellite imagery.

2020s

Increasing Frequency

The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and other areas have observed a surge in frequency, duration and intensity of sand and dust storms, likely linked to climate change and desertification.

Safety & Protection Guide

Knowing how to respond during a dust storm can save lives

For Motorists

Important: Vehicles approaching from the rear and using the advance car's lights as a guide have inadvertently left the roadway and in some instances collided with the parked vehicle.

For General Public

Extra Precautions for Vulnerable Groups

Those with respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD), cardiovascular disease, the elderly, and young children should take extra precautions:

  • Have necessary medications readily available
  • Consider wearing N95 masks if going outdoors is unavoidable
  • Monitor air quality reports and health symptoms
  • Have an emergency plan in place

Warning Systems & Monitoring

Dust Storm Warnings

If a dust storm is spotted in your area, your local National Weather Service forecast office will issue a dust storm warning. Scientists can also use weather satellites to catch the first signs of a dust storm to help forecasters give an even earlier warning.

DUST STORM WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
3:15 PM MST THU JUL 10 2024

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A

* DUST STORM WARNING FOR...
MARICOPA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA

* UNTIL 4:15 PM MST

* AT 3:12 PM MST, A WALL OF DUST WAS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM CHANDLER TO APACHE JUNCTION, MOVING WEST AT 30 MPH.

HAZARD...LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY WITH STRONG WIND IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH.

SOURCE...DOPPLER RADAR.

IMPACT...DANGEROUS LIFE-THREATENING TRAVEL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DUST STORMS LEAD TO DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO. IF DRIVING, AVOID DUST STORMS IF POSSIBLE. IF CAUGHT IN ONE, PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS AND KEEP YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE.

Satellite Monitoring

Although it's hard to miss dust storms on the ground, they can be difficult to spot from space because the dust is often the same color as the ground below, so the storm blends in with its surroundings.

However, weather satellites like the GOES-R Series have instruments that can spot dust storms. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) is like a camera that takes pictures with many different filters. By combining and comparing information from these different types of pictures, scientists can spot the beginnings of a dust storm.

Satellite Dust Storm Monitoring

Animation showing blowing dust over New Mexico and Texas. The blowing dust is shown in dark magenta. Credit: NOAA/NESDIS/CIRA

Climate Change Connection

The Feedback Loop

Climate change contributes to desertification, which in turn may increase the frequency and spread of sand and dust storms. This creates a concerning feedback loop:

  1. Rising Temperatures lead to increased evaporation and drought conditions
  2. Drought Conditions cause vegetation loss and soil degradation
  3. Degraded Soil becomes more susceptible to wind erosion
  4. Increased Dust Storms result from more available loose soil and stronger winds
  5. Airborne Dust can affect regional climate patterns, potentially exacerbating warming

Recently, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and other areas have observed a surge in frequency, duration and intensity of sand and dust storms, likely linked to these climate change effects.

Correlation between temperature rise and dust storm frequency (simulated data for illustration)

International Response

UN Coalition to Combat Sand and Dust Storms

Formed in 2018, this coalition aims to promote and coordinate a collaborative UN-system response to SDS on local, regional and global scales, ensuring unified and coherent actions are taken.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

The WMO's Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS) provides forecasts and warnings for dust events globally.

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is developing normative guidance and recommendations to address the health impacts of sand and dust storms, including the Expert Working Group on Desert Dust and Health.

International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms

Starting in 2023, this day is observed every year on July 12th to raise awareness about the challenges posed by dust storms and promote international cooperation.

Ongoing Research Needs

Short-term Health Effects

Further research on immediate health impacts across different populations and regions

Long-term Health Effects

Studies on chronic exposure to dust and associated health outcomes

Exposure Assessment

Harmonized protocols to accurately measure and characterize dust exposure

Combined Effects

Research on synergistic effects of both exposure to heat and particulate matter

Dust Storm Escape Interactive Game

Want to put your dust storm survival skills to the test? Try our City Dust Storm Escape game!
Navigate a city during a fierce dust storm, rescue green plants, collect supplies and knowledge, and reach the shelter before your health runs out.
This fun and educational game is perfect for families, students, and anyone interested in science, safety, and real-world challenges.

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Additional Resources

NOAA SciJinks

Educational resources about dust storms and other weather phenomena

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National Weather Service

Official weather warnings and safety information

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World Health Organization

Health impacts and global response to sand and dust storms

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World Meteorological Organization

Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System

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