Severe dust storm turns day into night in Chaco, Argentina

A severe dust storm hit parts of Argentina on January 12, 2023, quickly turning day into night.

A severe dust storm swept through the province of Chaco in Argentina on January 12, 2023, quickly turning day into night.

The storm hit the town of La Leonesa particularly hard, with images from the town showing the front of the storm as it quickly descended on the city and other parts of the province.¹

The region has been experiencing high temperatures and drought for months which has left the area parched. With the temperature in this area reaching over 40 °C (104 °F), the dry, barren land was easily lifted by a strong wind, creating a massive dust cloud.

According to the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), the province was experiencing storms of varying intensity, some of which were locally strong. These storms were accompanied by intense gusts of wind, occasional hail, strong electrical activity, and primarily heavy rainfall in short periods.

SMN has issued recommendations for residents in the affected areas to ensure their safety during the dust storm.

These include seeking shelter in closed buildings such as houses, schools, or public buildings, securing any objects that may be thrown by the wind, staying away from trees as the wind may cause branches to break, avoiding electrical appliances and using wired telephones, avoiding driving on flooded or affected roads, and shutting off the electricity supply if there is a risk of water entering your home.

References:

¹ CHACO: Tormenta de Tierra y lluvia en el interior Chaco – Mascontenidos – January 13, 2023

Featured image credit: Fobos