Dust Storms

From 2 to 3 May 2018, high-velocity dust storms swept across parts of North India and killed atleast 125 people and injured over 200.

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Terminologies:

• Sand Storms:

• A sandstorm is particles of sand carried aloft by strong winds; they are mostly confined to the lowest ten feet and rarely rise more than fifty feet above the ground.

• Sand particles are larger than dust particles, are not launched far and fall out of the air faster.

• Dust Storms:

• A dust storm is a severe weather condition characterized by strong winds and dust-filled air over an extensive area.

• The particles in a dust storm are smaller in size than particles in a sandstorm and can be launched higher and farther. Dust storms can be: (1) Localized and channelized dust storms, (2) Winter to early spring gradient dust storms and (3) Monsoonal convective dust storms.

• Haboob:

• Monsoonal convective dust storms are produced from downbursts in severe thunderstorm development.