SPC Issues MD for Haboob

[David Draun]

This looked interesting, and it's the first time I've ever seen the word "Haboob" in a technical weather discussion.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md1088.html

[Bob Schafer]

Haboob=Storm with lots of mammatus, right?

:rolleyes: :blink: <_<

[/joke alert]

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[Terry Kollmeyer]

Haboob is technically a dust storm caused by t-storm winds. Although, I can't help chuckling like Beavis repeating the word "Haboob" :P

[David Wolfson]

The haboob passed through Phoenix in the 6-7 p.m. hour (MST). Very impressive dust cloud due to the very dry soil carried by rather unexceptional winds of 30kts or so.

[Andrew Khan]

Can it always be caused by thunderstorm winds, or are there acceptions? One thing, that has always baffled me is, how is the dust cloud, able to maintain structure, momentum, and terminal velocity for so long, without a continous wind force being applied on it?

[Susan Strom]

Look at the big sandstorm on:

http://www.azcentral.com/

Can't beat those shots from the traffic helicopter. Actually, haboob is really common here (Phoenix).

-Susan (zzzz tired...chased lightning all over the place lastnight...long hours, goodnight LOL)

[David Wolfson]

Last night's haboob seemed to owe its staying power to the same basic mechanism that drives derechos. There's a 30-40kt mid-level wind that appeared to be pinned to the surface by the storms' downdrafts.