Dust Storms: An intriguing weather phenomenon

• Egidio Leitao

Lens-Artists Challenge #286: Weather

Skyline Drive Sunset

I was unsure I could weather this week’s challenge that Anne posted. With English as a second language, I had to re-read her post carefully. I did not know whether we were discussing the same thing. Thanks to Anne for making it all clear. You should check out Anne’s post.

“Weather” paints the atmospheric picture, from sunshine’s warmth to snow’s chill. That was a good start for me. “Whether” ponders choices and can be used synonymously as “if.” “Wether,” on the other hand, is a whole ‘nother beast! It is rarely seen and refers to a castrated sheep, a barnyard curiosity. I am happy that is not our challenge. Though homophones, those words’ meanings diverge far and wide, reminding us that precise language, like punctuation, is essential for clear understanding.


I chose to focus on one weather phenomenon: dust storms. Like wether, dust storms (some people use the term sandstorms) may be rare in your neck of the woods. This powerful natural phenomenon can be a great photo opportunity. That happened to me in the spring of 2022 when I visited Davis Mountains SP, one of my favorite state parks in Texas.

Let’s look at the two images I posted above again. Although captured nearly at the same location, the photos differ because the second image shows a dust storm sweeping the Davis Mountains.


Sandstorms are strong winds (at least 25 mph or 40 km/h) that pick up sand and dust from arid regions like deserts or plains. Although you may expect them to be seen frequently in the Sahara, Middle East, and Central Asia, they can happen anywhere with the right conditions. Even though the terms can be used interchangeably, there is a significant difference between a sandstorm and a dust storm. The former typically involves larger, heavier sand grains carried close to the ground, while the latter transports finer particles that can travel much higher and further. In the Davis Mountains, we experienced a dust storm. It was thick and high.

Sandstorms and dust storms have significant impacts. The first thing that comes to mind is the impact on air quality. Some people with respiratory problems suffer from that weather phenomenon and some even experience eye irritation.


Visibility is another area of concern. From inside our hotel room, visibility decreased tremendously. We could only see a building within two blocks from the hotel. You can barely see the mountains on the horizon in the photos here.

One interesting observation about sandstorms and dust storms is that they can create bizarre optical illusions, like “mirages” and “sand devils.” In West Texas, sanddevils are a common occurrence. This next photo shows how the sunlight filtered through the sand storm, creating the illusion of another light source.


Here is another look at the surrounding area on Skyline Drive, where I was capturing these images. The hotel you see in the distance is the historic Indian Lodge. As with many weather phenomena, one can see the beauty of the light on the mountains in the background.


In closing her post, Anne wrote: “And if you have some pictures of Wethers, let’s see those cute little animals too.” Since I had no pictures, I turned to AI and asked the bot to create a wether. I am unsure whether it is accurate, but I will not find out.


I am still flying high in exhilaration with the responses that everyone provided for the challenge I hosted last week. Your photos were amazingly beautiful, and your creativity was beyond my expectations. For all of that, I am very thankful that you made my first official Lens-Artists challenge very rewarding and successful. Thank you, thank you!

Join us next week when Donna will introduce a new challenge. Please leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post, and make sure you use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post. We look forward to your joining our challenges. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

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63 thoughts on “Dust Storms: An intriguing weather phenomenon”

  1. The photos you posted are beautiful full of atmosphere. A weather condition we do not have. I have been in one sandstorm in Nevada, at lake Mead, no photos as we were in the lake only heads above water. And after it I also had to purchase a new camera. I really enjoyed your take on this topic.

  2. Ritva, thank you for the comment. I had never experienced one of those storms as strong as that one. It was weird and yet beautiful to see the landscape through a different lens. Thanks for the feedback.

  3. It sounds like you had an interesting adventure, both the dust storm and learning the differences between weather and whether! Great photos. I’d rather not experience a dust storm in person!

  4. Very interesting and unique take on the challenge Egidio – I’ll wager yours will be the only post featuring dust storms 😊. I’ve never been in one and hope never to be in the future! I’d imagine the dust gets in your eyes and creates a need for those bandana things the cowboys always wear – now I know why. And I did smile at your weathers/wethers/whethers usage – I’m sure it IS confusing for those who use English as a second language ! (and I did love your little AI wether!)

  5. PS. I got carried away and forgot to say how much I enjoyed your gorgeous images, especially the opener and the same scene during the storm.

  6. First, I am so glad you covered this strange phenomenon. I searched though my photos and realized, I have none. I have seen so many dust storms, and haboobs come through AZ and was so fascinated by them. I just watched. You make me wish for more after seeing your photos, Egidio even though the air quality is horrible. And Ritva’s comment is probably a good thing to notate. This was a creative look at the challenge, and the photo were mesmerizing. Very nice!!!!

  9. Is that a lamb? I’m not too familiar with animals. I’m a city gal. LOL Cute though!
    Loved your first photograph, Egidio. It could have been showcased in last weeks challenge.
    The contrast of the white hotel in the mountains is fantastic. Great selections for the challenge. I enjoyed viewing them.
    Isadora 😎

  10. Brad, thank you for your feedback. Like you, I’d rather not experience the storm. However, once there, I just couldn’t help but want to see familiar sights affected by the storm. I’m glad it did not affect my eyes or breathing.

  11. Tina, thanks for your note and compliment. When I saw this week’s theme, that dust storm immediately came to mind. I thought it would be different and unlike what most people had experienced. Your words confirmed that. What made it special for me is that Skyline Drive offers some of the best views in West Texas. To see it affected by the storm was totally unusual for us. Thanks, Tina.

  13. Donna, thank you very much for the feedback. That storm featured in those photos was very different for me, too. I have experienced something almost like it a couple of years ago in Big Bend NP, but not that intense. I was surprised that the air quality did not seem to bother us. I did not stay outside for very long. I was also concerned about the effect on my camera and lenses. Thanks.

  15. Thanks, John. Skyline Drive is one of the best places to see gorgeous Texas sunsets. I go to that park as often as I can, but not often enough. It’s about seven hours from Austin.

  16. Isadora, that “lamb” is an AI-generated photo. I just asked the AI bot to create a wether photo. That was the result. I have several sunset photos captured at Skyline Drive. It’s a beautiful area in that park. Thank you so much for your compliment. I’m glad you liked the post and photos.

  18. Thank you so much Egidio for this response. I’m glad you went with the humor on the English language. It is truly a difficult language to learn. We have a similar dust phenomena in the California desert called dust devils. They are like little dust tornados that often enter the highways. I also like your interpretation of the challenge and response.

  21. Anne, the tone of your post was wonderful. I simply tried to follow your lead. I’m glad you saw some humor in my attempt. I have also seen dust devils here in Texas, especially when we go to Big Bend and other West Texas locations. Thank you for the feedback about the post.

  25. Interesting facts and gorgeous images – as always a treat to visit you, Egidio! And an AI wether? I will have to check that out!

  33. You offered a unique and fascinating twist on the weather challenge Egidio. I’m glad to learn and see more about dust storms without having to experience it in person.

  34. Brad, thank you for your thoughtful feedback. I am happy to know the post was informative — and right from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy your weekend!

  35. Beautiful images of the sand storm Egidio, especially with the sun glowing through. It must be difficult to breathe in these conditions and I am glad you all stayed safe 🙏

  40. How did you take photos of the dust storm, Egidio, with masks and goggles? Those are some very beautiful and cinematic photos!
    I think I experienced little sand storms only once in my life when I was a kid, travelling with my parents to the Tengger Caldera (https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taman_Nasional_Bromo_Tengger_Semeru) in East Java, Indonesia. I remembered my dad calling out telling us to close our eyes and make sure our facemasks covered any “holes”in our faces, hahaha

  41. Yanti, I was not wearing anything. At the time I captured those photos, the wind was calm and the dust was just hanging in the atmosphere. Earlier in the afternoon, we stayed inside when the wind was blowing hard. Thank you so much for your compliment. I really appreciated that.

  43. I‘ve never been in a sandstorm, but I experienced dust devils close by a few times. Not nice.
    Thanks for sharing 👍👍

  44. Beautiful series of photographs. I love all the landscapes. They are very open places, but they have a very pleasant feeling of intimacy. The two I like best are the first and the penultimate. Fantastic.

  48. Dust storms may not be good for our health, but they make for some great photography opportunities, Egidio. Loved your first photo with the red flower on the yucca in the foreground.

  51. Wow… amazing landscape in various weather conditions. I love the sand the sunlight filtered through the sand storm, incredible. But, I don’t like to see or experience sand storm though. Great response to this challenge, Egidio!

  61. Such a lovely collections!
    the sunlight filtered through the sand storm is my fav.
    So much to know about sand storms.
    Thank you.

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