Haboob is a severe sandstorm characterized by hot and moist wind. Like any other storm it also represents a severe weather condition. It is accompanied by strong air current, lightening and many other atmospheric disturbances. Haboob is created out of low atmospheric pressure. Strong winds with high difference in temperature result in the creation of Haboob when they meet at a particular geographical location.

Creation of Haboob

Haboob is a powerful form of thunderstorm. Substantial condensation, creation of water droplets and strong blow of wind are some of the pre-requisites of haboob. Once the thunderstorm breaks out, haboob winds starts to move in the reverse direction. The thunderstorm is followed by heavy precipitation.

Features of Haboob

• Howling and spiraling are the two primary characteristics of Haboob.

• The air current associated with Haboob has rotating tendency in the downward direction. The downdraft accompanying Haboob becomes more intense as it moves towards the ground.

• Haboob comes with a wall of sediment created by huge precipitation.

• Storm cloud is another interesting feature of haboob. The storm cloud, which accompanies haboob, can be of huge size extending upto 100 kilometers. The height of storm cloud can go upto few kilometers.

• The average speed of haboob wind varies between 35 to 50 kilometers per hour.

• Precipitation, which follows haboob, comes with huge amount of dust, that's why it is sometimes referred to as mud storm.

• Duration of haboob is usually 2 – 3 hours and it happens during summer time.

Haboob mostly occurs in the Sahara desert. Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and Kuwait are some of the other areas that are frequently affected by haboob.