Dust storm

meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions

A dust storm, or sandstorm, is a storm of small particles of sand and dirt. Dust storms happen when a strong wind front blows loose sand and dust from a dry surface. Particles are picked up and suspended in the air, causing soil erosion where they were. The wind drops them in another place where they can form loess, a kind of silt.

Dust storm approaching Stratford, Texas, in 1935.