Massive sandstorm blankets Hotan, western China

Massive sandstorm blankets Hotan, western China

A massive sandstorm blanketed the city of Hotan in western China on Sunday, June 28, 2020. According to the South China Morning Post, the visibility was reduced to 50 m (164 feet), and residents suffered breathing difficulties. The storm began at around 08:50 UTC…

Severe sandstorm sweeps through Dundgobi, Mongolia

Severe sandstorm sweeps through Dundgobi, Mongolia

A severe sandstorm hit Mongolia's Dundgobi Province on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The storm packed winds of up to 126 km/h (78 mph), according to the meteorological agency. It swept through areas in Deren, Gurvansaikhan, and Mandalgobi. This type of sandstorm, known…

Strong advection of Saharan dust from North Africa into Europe

Strong advection of Saharan dust from North Africa into Europe

A huge load of Saharan dust is moving across the Mediterranean Sea into SE Europe on May 14, 2020, with additional deposits expected in the coming days. According to Severe Weather Europe (SWE) meteorologists, the dust may also reach the UK and Ireland over the…

Intense rains, powerful winds and sandstorms wreak havoc in Qatar

Intense rains, powerful winds and sandstorms wreak havoc in Qatar

Intense rains accompanied by powerful winds and sandstorms wreaked havoc in Qatar over the past few days. On May 1, severe storms destroyed a field hospital at the Umm Salal area, north of Doha. It was constructed just two weeks ago, specifically for accommodating…

Huge sandstorm hits central Iran

Huge sandstorm hits central Iran

A massive, terrifying sandstorm hit the provinces of Yazd and Rafsanjan in central Iran on Sunday, April 26, 2020. The storm occurred at dawn, with wind speed reaching up to 130 km/h (81 mph). A witness said day turned into night when the gigantic sandstorm covered…

Massive sandstorm engulfs Baicheng city, China

Massive sandstorm engulfs Baicheng city, China

A massive sandstorm blanketed the city of Baicheng in Jilin Province, Northeast China, on April 3, 2020. The phenomenon is locally known as a "black storm". Waves of dust were swept up by gale-force winds of 63 to 74 km/h (39 to 46 mph). In one footage, a…

Sandstorms engulf parts of the Middle East

Sandstorms engulf parts of the Middle East

Sandstorms blanketed parts of the Middle East on Saturday, March 28, 2020. The countries affected included Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Skies turned orange as dust storms engulfed the Middle Eastern countries. In the footage, motorists were seen braving the…

Large sandstorm hits capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Large sandstorm hits capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A huge sandstorm hit capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at 12:15 local time on February 19, 2019, dropping down visibility and causing substantial traffic delays. The storm was accompanied by wind speeds reaching 40 km/h (25 mph). It affected temperatures across the city,…