These storms are most frequent and most dramatic in spring, the windiest and most unsettled time of year on the Najd.
Why Riyadh gets dust storms
Two ingredients combine over central Arabia: a near-limitless supply of fine, dry desert sand and dust, and the strong winds that lift it. In spring, weather systems crossing the region drag in powerful northerly winds — the shamal — that scour the plateau and carry dust for hundreds of kilometres.
A second type, the haboob, is driven by the cold downdraft of a thunderstorm: a dense wall of dust races ahead of the storm, often arriving before any rain. Both can descend on Riyadh with little warning.
Visibility, health and disruption
In a strong dust storm, visibility can drop below 500 metres, flights are delayed, and fine particulate pollution spikes well into unhealthy levels. People with asthma, allergies or heart and lung conditions are most affected. When a storm hits, stay indoors with windows and doors closed, run air conditioning on recirculate, and wear a mask if you must go out.
The air-quality reading on each page rises sharply during dust events; checking it, and the live wind speed, is the simplest way to know when a dusty day is on the way.