Climate

My climate topic is on sandstorms. A sandstorm is a type of storm that occurs when strong prolonged winds pick up loose top soil and moves it, sometimes distances of 100's of miles. when this occurs the visibility of the area is quickly brought down to feet and inches.

Sandstorms happen when the area has had very little precipitation and has very strong winds. In the area of North Africa there is a sandstorm that is called the Simoon and this storm can make dust travel all the way to Europe. In the Sudan another type of sandstorm is called the Habaab.

Sandstorm's can be tracked and conditions can be monitored via a satellite. This was proved in 2002 in china when scientist there predicted the countries largest storm in a decade 3 days before it happened.

Sandstorms can cause large amounts of damage. Because it is small particles moving at fairly high velocities these particles can strip paint. Also because of there size these particles will find there way into any and all crevices, meaning that car engines and electronics can seize up and crash.

http://china.org.cn/english/Life/166431.htm
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/sandsto
http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_causes_sandstorms.htm