Sand Storms

There was a sandstorm today. Sandstorms are strong dry wind blowing over the desert that raises and carries along clouds of sand or dust often so dense as to obscure the sun and reduce visibility almost to zero; also known as a duststorm. I was sitting on the couch (watching Y&R) and noticed it getting darker outside. I ran around the house closing all the windows.

The sandstorm in the pictures below occurred on 10 March 2009, the worst Saudi has had. The photos were taken from the Fasiliyah Towers in downtown Riyadh, I can see this building from my compound. Not surprisingly the airports were closed and flights cancelled.

It is not easy to envision how an entire city could be obscured from view and visibility at zero because of sand. There really is no way to protect yourself from the onslaught of sand if caught out and about. There is no warning. Luckily I have never been caught outside in a bad one - so far...