The Birth of a Haboob...

[Gravitycollapse]

It's looking like today's weather might be a little rough. We have a dust storm warning and a severe thunderstorm warning at 1 PM. Which is very early for such things. Anyway, thought I'd post a mosaic photo I captured last year of a Haboob forming next to my place.

Caused by a sudden high speed downdraft that directs hurricane force winds perpendicular to the ground. As the wind reaches the surface, it is forced outward, drawing up dirt from the desert floor.

[MineralMan]

1. Ha! Boob!

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. Those dust storms are far from funny, though.

[Gravitycollapse]

2. Today's haboob is about 10 miles away from me. Going to be a rough one I think.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. How many of those do you get in a month or summer or whatever?

And is there an increase in frequency over the past few years???

[Gravitycollapse]

4. At the height of the Monsoon I say we get at least one a week.

But they are of varying intensity. Some are simply high winds with some dust caught up. Others are thick walls of dust that lead to black out conditions.

I am not sure if they have become more frequent of late. We are certainly see less rain though.