All about dust storms: where they come from & safety practices

Dust storms can happen anywhere in the U.S., even if there is no drought or a desert nearby. Knowing how to handle a dust storm when out and about can help to save your life.

As we saw earlier this week, dust storms can show up without warning. They can be sourced by drought-stricken land, sandy deserts, and even freshly plowed fields.

All that is needed to pick up the dust, sand, or dry dirt is wind. A large late-season winter storm churning in the northeast quadrant on the first day of May 2023 was the driving force of gusty winds in Illinois.

The 40 to 50 mph windstorm from the storm system combined with the freshly plowed, dry fields completed the recipe for a dust storm. This caused a closure of Interstate 55 and a deadly pile-up as visibility quickly dropped to zero.

Dust storms are also commonly created by outflow winds from a thunderstorm, usually referred to as a haboob. We see these often in the Plains, especially along the Front Range, where drought is common.

The outflow is created as rain falls from the thunderstorm and pushes the air outwards away from the storm. These are the winds you feel before the storm hits.

Depending on how heavy the rainfall is, the winds can be damaging and pick up dust, sand, or dirt in their path, creating a dark cloud of thick, fast-moving dust.

If you encounter a dust storm or a haboob, avoid going into it if possible. However, if it is coming towards you and there is no safe exit route, there are ways to bring yourself to safety.

If you are out walking and cannot avoid the storm, seek shelter immediately. If the storm has hit as you are seeking shelter, cover your nose and mouth with a mask or a damp cloth to keep the particles from entering your airway. If you cannot get to shelter, crouch down and cover your face.

If you are driving and enter a dust storm or one starts while you are driving, pull off the roadway as far as safely possible and turn off your lights. Having the lights on may make drivers behind you think traffic is still moving and they may slam into you, possibly creating a pile-up.

Set your emergency brake once the lights are turned off and take your foot off the brake pedal to make sure the rear brake lights are kept off.

If you cannot pull off the road immediately, go slow with the lights on and use the painted road lines to help as a guide. You can use your horn occasionally to show other vehicles you are there. Do not stop in the middle of the road, as this can quickly cause accidents.

Mind the WindRadar, especially if you have thunderstorms approaching or a windstorm impacting your area. This can help you plan for possible dust storm hazards while out and about.