A haboob (from Arabic habūb, "blowing furiously") is a sandstorm caused by cold air descending from a thunderstorm (gust front). On hitting the ground, it lifts a wall of dust up to 1–1.5 km high, advancing at 50–100 km/h.
Geographic distribution
Common in the Sahel, Sudan (where the name originates), the US Southwest (Arizona), and Australia. Unlike gradual wind-driven sandstorms, haboobs have a sharp front and arrive suddenly, reducing visibility to zero within minutes. They may be followed by rain as the parent thunderstorm passes overhead.