One of the most interesting and slightly terrifying experiences I have lived through is driving through a dust storm. Of course images of the movie Lawrence of Arabia, quickly entered my mind. If you have not seen the movie or at the very least that sand storm scene you may want to check it out. Fortunately, I lived to tell my story and it was nowhere near as bad as the movie. I later found out that there is a difference between a sandstorm and a dust storm. Before we get to the video of my experience, let me share some interesting differences about a sandstorm and a dust storm.
Sandstorm and Dust Storm Differences
Sandstorms are tiny specks of sand that are carried by strong winds, and are mostly confined to 10 feet and sometimes raise as high as 50 feet above the ground. Sand is larger than dust and fall out of the air faster. Dust storms tend to fill the air and cover an extensive area of land. Because dust is smaller in size it can travel higher and farther.
Dust storms are categorized into three types of storms:
Localized - Formed by winds, typical around agricultural crops, small blinding dust, difficult to predict. Short and sudden.
Winter to Early Spring Gradient - High winds over large areas, widespread and create cloudy and/or hazy atmosphere.
Monsoon Convective - Produced by downbursts and severe thunderstorms. The burst can lift dust up to 5,000 feet. Large and thick in density. Travel can be as fast as 30 to 60 miles per hour, 30 to 100 miles wide, and 100 to 200 miles long.
Any one of these dust storms are hazardous conditions. I found this out the hard way, as this was my first week in Colorado. Nice welcome to the state with a motto of Nil Sine Numine. The English translation is “Nothing without providence,” or “Nothing without the Deity.” Now isn’t that the truth! It just so happens that the most common areas of the United States for dust storms are in the south and southwestern territories. Colorado is included in that zone of infamous dust storms.
Some interesting facts that are important to remember, should you come upon a dust storm are:
They cause dangerous driving conditions.
Unsafe particles in the air can cause a risk in breathing.
Fungi, pollutants, heavy metals, chemicals and bacteria, including fungi that causes valley fever can be transported by the dust storm.
Lung disorders can be irritated causing an asthma or allergic attack.
The warning I did not receive, and maybe because I had never been in this area of the USA, was to never drive through a dust storm. Slow down if you cannot stop, pull off the road, turn off the lights, stop the car and put the emergency brake on. Do not stop in the middle of the road. Wait until the storm passes.
If you are not driving but find yourself outside, seek shelter as soon as possible. If you are in a building, stay in side and keep all windows closed. If you are caught outside, cover your head by protecting your openings. That means cover your ears, nose, mouth and eyes with any cloth you might have, but do not suffocate yourself! Peace.
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