Dust storms occur when gusts of wind pass over dust.
A thunderstorm is technically an atmospheric disturbance that includes one or more of the following: hail, lightning, rain, sleet, snow, and/or thunder. Some storms often combine precipitation and wind, such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, and cyclones. Other storms, like sand and dust storms, have wind but no precipitation. Dust storms are caused by strong winds passing over loose dust particles.
Dust storms reduce visibility.
Dust can develop on the Earth’s surface due to droughts or dry conditions that are less severe but still leave the soil parched. Soil erosion, overgrazing of pastures, and desertification also contribute. A storm can kick up dust about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) above Earth. Problems caused by such storms include reduced visibility and breathing problems, and dust covers everything, which can damage equipment and machinery.
Prolonged droughts can cause dust storms.
Dust storms occur in many parts of the world. During a drought that occurred in the 1930s in the United States and Canada, hundreds of thousands of farm workers were displaced by severe storms. Dry spells also occurred in the 1950s, 1970s, and late 1980s through 1990. In 2007, a sandstorm in Texas caused severe damage, sending people to the hospital with respiratory problems and delaying many flights at Dallas-Forth Airport. .
In November 1902, during a period of drought, a storm known as “The Great Dispute” began in South Australia and spread as far north as Victoria and parts of New South Wales.
Australia is another area prone to sandstorms, although they are less frequent than thunderstorms there. In November 1902, during a period of drought, a storm known as “The Great Dust-Up” began in South Australia and spread as far north as Victoria and parts of New South Wales, reaching as far as Sydney. This particular weather disturbance was accompanied by an unusual phenomenon: it is believed that “fireballs” were formed by static electricity caused by the movement of dust particles. The two shot sparks from the sky and also set some buildings on fire.
In recent years, notable dust storms hit the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2008 and Karachi, Pakistan in 2007. Major storms originating in Inner Mongolia can travel far enough to cause pollution in Beijing, as happened in 2006. Seven days after it started, the dust reached the west coast of the United States.