sandstorm, strong dry wind blowing over the desert that raises and carries along clouds of sand or dust often so dense as to obscure the sun and reduce visibility almost to zero; also known as a duststorm. Such a wind is usually the result of convection currents created by intense heating of the ground. read more
The folloing NASA Aqua satellite image shows a widespread sandstorm over Afghanistan and Pakistan on August 24, 2010: Sandstorms are notorious for getting sand into equipment, houses, and just about every nook and cranny of everything. read more
Sandstorms form when a mist of dust/sand is suspended in air. When the mist clears, there is a low cloud of sand. It moves across the desert close to the ground. read more