An intense, wall-like dust storm driven by the strong, cool outflow winds of a collapsing thunderstorm, common in arid regions such as the Sahel, the Arabian Peninsula and the American Southwest. The advancing wall of suspended dust can tower thousands of feet high and arrive within minutes, cutting visibility to near zero and often preceding the thunderstorm's own rain. The name comes from the Arabic word for wind or blow.
Facts
ScaleIn Khartoum, Sudan, haboobs have been historically documented reaching up to 2,000 m (7,000 feet) high, advancing at up to 70 km/h (45 mph), and lasting as long as six and a half hours, with peak winds of 35 to 100 km/h (22 to 62 mph). 1 First DescribedThe term haboob was originally used to describe dust storms in Sudan, and was first applied to North American dust storms in 1972 by Robert Ingram and co-authors. 1 Open Questions
PeriodicityNo stated annual or seasonal frequency count in the source consulted.
The source names haboob-prone seasons in specific regions, for example Sudan, the Arabian Peninsula, and the late-March-to-April window in Washington state, but gives no per-year or per-season occurrence count; recorded as unknown pending a source with a frequency figure. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceA haboob advances as a wall of dust up to 100 km (62 miles) wide and several kilometers high, driven by the strong, cool outflow winds of a collapsing thunderstorm. 1 Connections
Demonstrated By
Desert, Biomes Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sources
1. Haboob (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFormation and characteristics section
This wall of dust can be up to 100 km (62 mi) wide, and several kilometers high.
Etymology section
The term was originally used to describe dust storms in Sudan, and was first applied to North American dust storms in 1972 by Robert Ingram and co-authors.
Opening paragraph and Formation section
In Khartoum, Sudan, haboobs have been historically documented as reaching up to 2,000 m (7,000 ft) high, advancing at up to 70 km/h (45 mph), and lasting as long as 6 1/2 hours.
View the Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationDemonstrated By: DesertView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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