Sandstorms

Sandstorms occur in sandy areas, usually in deserts. They happen when high wind speeds lift the top layer of sand from the ground. Wind speeds can reach at least 25 miles per hour and the storm can be up to 100 kilometers wide and several kilometers high.

Sandstorms Facts for Kids:

• They mostly occur in dry, hot desert regions
• Most sandstorms happen in summer.
• They are also known as dust storms.
• They can quickly reduce visibility, making it dangerous for driving.
• A sandstorm can carry large volumes of sand
• Sandstorms are also called “haboobs.” Hab is a word in Arabic that means “wind.”
• They can travel from the Sahara Desert all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Sandstorms are in the top five weather conditions that cause the most harm to people.
• The area must be dry in order for a sandstorm to form.
• Sandstorms sometimes happen when there is a thunderstorm because usually, these produce high winds.
• In the Middle East, there are many sandstorms that happen.
• When people cut down too many trees, the sand becomes exposed and this can cause there to be more sandstorms than normal.
• When grass is present, most of the time sandstorms are stopped.
• In 1930, there was a Dust Bowl, which was dust storms that swept across the area in Southwest America. When this happened, it caused there to be droughts and people were not able to grow food.

What Causes Sandstorms?

Sandstorms are often produced by thunderstorms. A good ingredient for a sandstorm is strong wind speeds of at least 25Mph.

They occur in dry regions and pull dust from the ground up into the air. They are common in flat areas that have very few plants and trees.

They can happen really fast as wind speed pickup and start to blow the sand.

Where are Most Sandstorms?

Most sandstorms happen in regions that are hot and dry.

One area that experiences sandstorms is the Sahara Desert.

The Sahara Desert is covered in sand and they often times have sandstorms that blow all over the area.

Other areas that are dry and flat have sandstorms.

Places in the United States such as Oklahoma and Kansas are known for having sandstorms. Many of the places that experience sandstorms are farm areas.

The reason that this happens on-farm areas is that the area has more bare earth than other areas.

When the wind blows, it carries the sand with it and in open areas, this is often seen.

Why Are Sandstorms Dangerous?

Sandstorms are dangerous because they can blow sand fast and can cause people to get sand in their eyes and it can cause areas around to have landslides because it blows the topsoil off the ground.

The topsoil helps to hold down trees and when the topsoil is gone, it can cause there to be massive landslides.

Sandstorms that are huge can cover people’s houses and cause them not to be able to get out of their homes.

These storms can also cause people to have respiratory problems from breathing too much sand.

Sandstorms can destroy crops quickly and cause crops to die or to not be able to grow.

What Did You Learn?

• What causes sandstorms?
  Sandstorms happen when there is a lot of sand over an area and winds that are at least 25 miles per hour blow.
• Are sandstorms dangerous?
  Sandstorms can be dangerous to people, causing them to have breathing problems and to crops.
• Do sandstorms happen in places where there is a lot of grass and trees?
  Most sandstorms do not happen where there is a lot of grass and trees.
• What is another name for sandstorms?
  Another name for sandstorms is Haboobs and Dust Storms.
• Where do most sandstorms happen?
  Most sandstorms happen in deserts that are very dry and have a lot of sand.

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