Despite its Funny-Sounding Name, a Haboob is Quite Dangerous
Christy Bowen
9 hours agoA massive haboob churned up across parts of Phoenix on Monday, knocking out power to over 15,000 people and causing chaos in Maricopa County. Officials at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were also forced to ground flights after the strong winds whipped the dust cloud through the Valley of the Sun. What is a haboob and why can they be so dangerous? Read on for all of the details.
Understanding a Haboob and its Dangers
Dust storms that reach a great deal of intensity and size are referred to in meteorological circles as a haboob. These extreme weather events can cause significant property damage and create havoc on the roads.
According to the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Glossary of Meteorology, a haboob is an intense sandstorm that is brought on by powerful winds. The sand or dust associated with the storm is sent to heights as high as 5000 feet, creating a wall of dust. The term haboob comes from the Arabic word "habb," translating to "to blow." The word was initially used to describe the same type of dust storms in Sudan.
Haboobs form in two general ways. The first possible avenue of development happens when one or more thunderstorms create a rush of outflow winds that can break loose and move ahead of the storm activity.