sandstorm

American  

[sand-stawrm] / ˈsændˌstɔrm /

noun

Meteorology.

1. an occurrence of strong winds, especially in a desert, that pick up and carry sand, as from dunes, and typically move along in a series of leaps, effecting the process of saltation.

   Our plan to film on location in Dubai was thwarted by a week of unusually persistent sandstorms.

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sandstorm British  

/ ˈsændˌstɔːm /

noun

1. a strong wind that whips up clouds of sand, esp in a desert

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sandstorm Scientific  

/ sănd′stôrm′ /

1. A strong wind that carries clouds of sand and dust through the air. Most of the particles in a sandstorm are between 0.08 and 1 mm (0.0032 and 0.04 inches) in size. Sandstorms usually are limited to within 3 m (10 ft) of the ground, rarely getting more than 15 m (49 ft) high. They develop in desert areas where loose sand can be stirred up by wind. Most sandstorms occur during the day when the Earth's surface heats up and dissipate at night as it cools.

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Etymology

Origin of sandstorm

First recorded in 1765–75; sand + storm

Example Sentences

Air pollution was worsened by sandstorms in March.

From Reuters

At least eight people were killed and several others critically injured after a sandstorm led to crashes involving more than 20 vehicles Sunday afternoon in Utah.

From Washington Post

The pileup occurred during a period of high winds that caused a dust or sandstorm which reduced visibility, the highway patrol said.

From Seattle Times

The dust was everywhere, like a sudden sandstorm, burning the Nirs’ eyes and throats.

From Washington Post

The video, shared on TikTok and then later on Twitter, showed him laughing and swearing about the intense heat and dust while driving through a sandstorm.

From BBC