Haboob Dust Storm

A massive wall of dust up to 1,500 meters tall that swallows entire cities/Weather & Climate

A haboob is a type of intense dust storm carried on the leading edge of a thunderstorm's outflow boundary, forming a towering wall of dust that can reach 1,500 meters high and stretch over 100 km wide. The word comes from the Arabic 'habb,' meaning 'to blow.' Haboobs are most common in the Sahara Desert, the Arabian Peninsula, and the southwestern United States. The wall of dust advances at speeds of 35 to 100 km/h, reducing visibility to near zero in seconds. The dust can contain fungal spores, bacteria, and fine particulate matter that poses serious respiratory health risks. A major haboob can transport millions of tonnes of dust across continents.