2005 Dust Storms
Al Asad, Iraq
These photographs were taken by:
Gunnery Sgt. Shannon Arledge and unknown others
26 April, 2005
"A dust storm similar to special effects on the big screen bellowed across
the western desert of Iraq on April 26. The storm was spawned near the border of Syria and
Jordan. Weather forecasters here described the dust storm as a downburst. The ensuing
storm increased energy as the winds pushed over the desert, which created a wall of dirt.
Weather officials said that a downburst this strong is extremely rare for this region of Iraq.
As the storm moved closer the sky changed to a shade of orange until total darkness blanketed
the ground. The storm passed over in about 45 minutes, leaving a heavy sheet of dust in its wake.
Forecaster say the wall of dust may have reached 4,000 to 5,000 feet, based on the height of
the clouds above it." - Unknown
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Crestone, Colorado
This photograph taken by:
Michael Dennett
Cresorne, Colorado
3 June, 2005
"On Friday, June 3rd, Crestone and the surrounding area was hit
by a freak wind/sand storm which caused some damage, especially
in nearby Moffat. "It looked like a 1,000 foot high freight train
rolling across the valley," said Crestone resident Charlie Warren,
as he watched the storm roll in. He also noted that, "It was very
dense." One long time rancher who has lived in the Valley for over
80 years, said she had never seen anything like that ever here."
- From July 2005 issue of Crestone Eagle, Crestone, Colorado
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San Luis Valley, Colorado
These photographs taken by:
Fred Farrell
3 June, 2005
"My impression of the storm was curiousity at first. I watched it grow from
what looked like a good size brush fire but within about a minute or two
it turned into this monster storm. At first I thought I could step on the
gas and beat it before it crossed highway 17 but realized after a short
distance that it was moving much faster than me and was too far ahead. As
I approached the wall cloud I thought.... this is going to be interesting.
The storm blew the car around pretty good, visibilty was almost zero at
times. It was the most intense between Hooper and Moffat, Colorado which
is a 16 mile strech of highway."
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Griffith, NSW Australia
These photographs were taken by:
Aaron Jeffries
Date unknown
"Dust storm passing through Griffith NSW, Australia."
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