When I first saw this photo in news stories today, my first thought was “how long before somebody idiotically links this to global warming aka climate change aka climate disruption” (take your pick)?
The answer, not long. From The Atlantic we have this pronouncement:
Environmentalists remind us that the conditions that create dust storms can be linked to climate change and poor farming practices. Today, the Earth is twice as dusty as it was in the 19th-century. At least we have YouTube and Twitpic to document the incredibly terrifying consequences?
Here’s some spectacular video of what is called a Haboob in progress yesterday. I find it more interesting than “terrifying”:
I had to laugh when I saw the title of this one.
Doomsday? Really? Dust storms might be an annoyance, and may shut down things we take for granted like air travel and sometimes road travel, but they hardly equate to doomsday. I’ll save that for when the sun goes nova or some crazy political/zealot faction starts setting off nukes.
Seems that dust storms in desert cities aren’t that uncommon, such as this one in Phoenix in 2003:
And more examples:
From Wikipedia, notable dust storms
- 1954-1991: The multi-year droughts in portions of North America of 1954-56, 1976–78, and 1987-91 were noted for dust storms of the intensity seen in the middle 1930s over some fraction of their coverage and timespan, and more sporadically during the times between. The three multi-year droughts were similar to the 1930s in storms being raised by synoptic scale weather events such as cyclones and cold fronts; otherwise the most common trigger is the outflow from convective activity, known as a haboob. Significant events of the latter variety occurred in Colorado and Kansas in May 2004 with winds to 100 mph, Minnesota and Wisconsin in June 2004 causing significant damage, and the upper Middle West in May 1988, notable for strong electrification and lightning activity and by one estimate reaching 30 000 ft or more. The first and third of this list reached black blizzard intensity, causing total blackout for some period ranging from 90 sec to 10 or more minutes, over some fraction of the ground covered. The 1987-91 drought was especially notable as in the 1930s for the large number of rain of mud events, often generated by dust in suspension and/or carried on upper-level winds.
- 1971: A dust storm that occurred near Tucson, Arizona on July 16 was extensively documented by meteorologists.
Dec 1, 1982 – High winds kicked up dust storms from near the California border, to Gila Bend, south of Phoenix. minutes,” said Keith the state’s chief National Weather Service … The San Diego Zoo was closed Tuesday for the fifth time in its 66- year history after wind blew down eucalyptus trees. …
From Mean Storm Hits Calif., Moves East .
Aug 20, 1999 – A large dust storm moves into the downtown Phoenix area causing 90-minute flight delays at the Sky Harbor International Airport. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph hampered visibility as the dust storm swept through the metro area from the southern portions of Arizona. …
From Phoenix gets down and dirty in big dust storm | Deseret News
Yeah, doomsday.
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I thought it was cool. A pain to clean up for the locals, but pretty cool to watch.
As for “climate change”, warmer = wetter, not drier. That’s why it’s ‘humid’ here in CO in the summer and dry as a bone in winter. Just ask my skin. I should have stock in lotion companies.
My authoritative source, which you can’t see because you’d just dis it, sez 73.6%.
Why is this called a “dust storm” instead of a sandstorm? Anybody?
In late 1971 I was in Giza, Egypt, inside the Great Pyramid, around noon, and when we came out a sandstorm had hit. Standing at the entrance to the GP and seeing that was one of the weirdest sights I’ve ever seen. The color of the sky was ridiculously red-orange, and it tinted everything so weirdly. The palms were b;owing like nobody’s business, yet – unbelievably – the air didn’t appear to be moving, in spite of all the sand in the air.
We were told it was their biggest sandstorm in over 30 years.
It lasted till well after dark. The old part of the city was like some of the scenes in futuristic sci-fi movie sets – low, low ceiling (no duh); odd colored air; almost uncivilized, hostile-looking shops and bazaars; and very far different from fog or smog.
The oncoming wall of dust/sand we missed. Now I wish we’d seen it.
James Sexton;
Try a tape recorder. Or one of them newfangled video phones.
I misremember where, but on the web there’s an effort to encourage and collect such audio memoirs. Seems to perk up both sides, the ones listening and the ones being listened to.
Alexander;
He was sarcastically circumlocuting the logic, which is that you were necessarily including such men. Such is the leakiness and sloppiness of opinionated generalization, of course.
@Caleb July 6, 2011 at 4:02 pm:
That is awesome. Man, the adaptable creature. . .
OT, but something it conjured up in my memory… I read in Reader’s Digest, oh so many years ago, that in the early years of radio, they didn’t know how strong to make transmitters, and that people had all kinds of weird things happen, due to all the energy in the air. I believe it stated that these effects were the reason we have a 50,000 watt limit on AM stations.
In some places, the radio could be heard on barbed wire fences.
In one house, if the coal door on the furnace was opened the right amount, they could hear the radio.
My favorite was that in at least one place light bulbs would not go out. There was enough energy to keep them lit, even when turned off.
True? I am reporting it as well as I can remember. I recounted all these to people shortly afterward, so that helped it stick in my mind.
wsbriggs says:
July 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm
“It may have been named in AZ by the Arab camel handlers the Army brought in while testing whether camels would work in the Arizona desert – they didn’t work out.”
They must have been the wrong type of Arab, or maybe camel. Australia imported Afghans and dromedaries. They were very successful. When motorised transport took over in the 1920s, the camels were released, hence the “camel problem” in central Australia.
There are lots of camels. In my previous life as a geologist, I’ve seen heaps. Once, fully engrosed in a bit of outcrop, a full grown male got to about 2 metres behind me before I heard it breathe. Man, that made me jump!
Arizona CJ says:
July 6, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I lived in the Phoenix area for about ten years. I’ve been through a lot of dust storms (I never heard ‘em called Haboobs back then, in the 90′s).
They are a true and utter horrendous disaster! They can, in fact, make it necessary for you to wash your car! Oh, the horror….. /sarc
###
My dad had to do more then wash the car when he got caught in a bad one near Tucson in the early 70. The paint was destroyed and the windows needed to be replaced.
Brian H and James Sexton,
Subjecting a generalization to chop-logic doesn’t make it less true.
Do I have to make a reservation naming Isaac Newton, J. S. Bach, etc., etc. every time when I mention a gullibility of hereditary believers? In a research report, maybe. Not in a blog post.
Its been apparent that the new CAGW fraud has refined its tactics, it now consists of attaching ‘climate change’ to every possible environmental story they can.
Over fishing AND climate change.
Over population AND climate change.
Natural variation AND climate change
Poor farming practices AND climate change.
The variations and attachments can be endless and it is a clever way to muddy the waters of an issue and a way to re introduce the CAGW fraud to a sceptical public, it is an attempt to so entangle and dilute the CAGW fraud with real and genuine issues that the public will accept the CAGW fraud. Watch out for many more looming disasters, like the supposed ‘famine’ in Ethiopia, the UN/aid industry sets up a camp in the middle of a poverty stricken area and makes it known by rumour to these dirt poor people that free food and medicines are available, obviously they flock from miles around to access all the free stuff and waiting there are reporters picking out the visual heart string tuggers and its live aid ‘just give us yer f****g money'(live aid,featuring Bob Geldof) all over again and not once will the question be asked just why so many mothers are coming in with half a dozen children that she cannot possibly hope to feed. Attached to the reports will be the inevitable ‘AND climate change’. We are dealing with people who have no moral centre whatsoever, the ends justify the means. We are living in a time when poverty and hunger are being used as an emotional weapon.
Brian H says:
July 6, 2011 at 8:23 pm
James Sexton;
Try a tape recorder. Or one of them newfangled video phones. …………
=======================================================
Thanks, considered and probably will, however, with aged men, it is difficult to discern their words with video or tape (digital or otherwise). Context to the person and time is more trick. And, oddly, editing a recording is something I’m much chagrin to do, but, properly interpreting a conversation is acceptable to me. The vernacular of people of age sometimes isn’t palatable to people of less experience and of different time.
Circumlocuting ——- I haven’t used that word in ages!!!
Alexander Feht says:
July 6, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Brian H and James Sexton,
Subjecting a generalization to chop-logic doesn’t make it less true.
Do I have to make a reservation naming Isaac Newton, J. S. Bach, etc., etc. every time when I mention a gullibility of hereditary believers? In a research report, maybe. Not in a blog post.
======================================================================
Hmm, no, your generalization doesn’t hold true. I’ve little knowledge of the offspring of your or my examples. However, I’ve knowledge that all of the aforementioned were offspring and all of the ones which weren’t mentioned. And, you know I could go on to a point which would bore …….. Your posit fails scientific logic. Coincidentally, I don’t disagree with part of your posit.
But, it doesn’t have anything to do with a belief in a higher power. This can be seen. When a belief in a higher power is predominant, I believe scientific advancement is greater than the inverse. Witness this generation’s greatest contribution to mankind, the I-Pod. (Or you can consider the current alarm about our warming, but that doesn’t play well here.) Yeh, that holds a candle to the defining of gravity. Sis, I’m not going to try and convince you, but I’d appreciate the reciprocal.
The attempt at demeaning people such as me serves no purpose towards the reason why we’re here, and reflects poorly on the intellect of people such as you. If you wish to make a point of theology, I’d invite you to an unfettered posting at my blog.(Or anyone else of the same mindset.) Just click on the link in my name, and perhaps, you’d do me the same. Perhaps not, but either way the invitation is standing.
The examples I gave were not exceptions to the rule, rather, rules to the exceptions.
Best wishes,
James
James Sexton,
Nobody was trying to demean you. Nobody wanted to make any theological points.
You either confused me with somebody else, didn’t understand at all what I was saying, or simply are totally confused.
In any case, you need to order your thoughts before making a public show of self-destruction.
Go be in a haboob. You will learn some terror there.
These sand storms are common and regular in AZ monsoon season. Best of what passes for a meteorologist gives little advanced warning, if any, (should get these weather folks windows). Never heard anyone refer to them as a haboob, except a few idiots jabbering on TV pointing at radar images. Late friend Dan, born in 1902, (where Sky Harbor airport runway #1 is now), told many stories; horses being the primary transportation in his younger years, and deadly summers that would thin out the population of old and young alike. First in the valley to get electricity and an electric fan. He thought technology was a good thing, improving quality of life. Being productive and supportive of the community was very important to him, till he got old and deservedly crotchety.
Not impressed by the fear-mongering chicken little dialectic of AGW and eugenics. Never have been, never will be. AGW purveyors seem not to care much for human life, yet most would vehemently deny this, only because they have not considered consequences of going back to where we have already been. Possibly a reflection of their soul, and they should probably be more productive so they feel better about themselves.
@Alexander Feht says:
July 6, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Strange, I thought I was quite clear. Perhaps a rewording of your “gullibility of hereditary believers” posit is in order, so as to not to elicit such responses.
Again, best wishes,
James
Has anyone looked at the conditions aloft? I know up here in NorCal the Monsoonal flow was at the mid levels, meanwhile we had a low level weak inversion and some pretty cold air well aloft, the past couple of days. (Since then, the marine layer has thickened, the Monsoon flow is easing back and it’s a bit warmer aloft)
“Today, the Earth is twice as dusty as it was in the 19th-century.” I highly doubt this. *sigh* Just another sensationalized news story to get everyone scared out of their minds.
Man, I can almost believe that calling this dust storm an “Haboob” was intended to conflate it with the malignant “man caused” terrorism brought upon us by the Islamofascists, or perhaps also dredge up fears associated with a nuclear inspired “Blob”.
Nevertheless, the fact that the “Arabic” people were apparently already able to convert their own aggressive viscous Arabic “Blobs” of old into relatively harmless airborn Haboobs about 800 – 1300 years ago, without any assistance at all from an increased atmospheric fossil fuel CO2 concentration – whose direct gaseous or warming effect no doubt explains [just as in the case of its quelling of ACE] what eventually happened to America’s still existing 1950’s era “The Blob”, now having just shown up again in Phoenix as a mere dust storm – is very impressive indeed.
Therefore, and of course with a little more “help” from our Nation as per President Obama’s prime directive to NASA, the low self-esteem of the Islamic Nations will certainly soon be restored to its Medieval levels and such that they would then be able to control “the climate” using their own provenly effective means.
It is now known as climate disruption people.
re post by: Mike Abbott says: July 6, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I’d like to know how that works. What, there’s a magical mystery force field protecting N. Am. from higher dust levels, we’re cut off from the rest of the world’s atmospheric patterns? Time for all the AGW climate scientists to leap to it and get those grant requests in to study this mystical new property that’s been discovered! /sarc. Ok, ok, maybe I’m the idiot and somehow weather patterns really do wind up with dust variations that leave N. America segregated from the rest of the world, but gotta say my red warning flag was immediately raised on hearing that claim.
re post by: Mustafa says: July 6, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Hi Mustafa,
I’d have to say yes, I think the same phenomena occurs in Arizona and actually several Southwestern states, although maybe it’s not exactly the same thing as you’re referring to since I’m thinking of monsoon bringing dust storms, rather than cooling that’s directly from the dust storms….
I’ve lived all over the United States, but wound up with a career move taking me to S. Nevada several years back – where I was amazed to learn that we get monsoon season here. I gather that the large Phoenix dust storms like this one are typically associated with monsoon season – and monsoon usually breaks the heat a bit. It often isn’t associated with much rain, or at least not in some areas such as S. Nevada, but is definitely associated with far more clouds and often quite notably higher humidity and far more frequent virga too (cloud bursts or rain that evaporates before it hits the ground – can be VERY beautiful! http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/SkyPix/ftsumner.htm or http://www.gdanmitchell.com/2010/11/03/sunrise-rainbow-and-virga-above-the-buttermilks or http://malleescapes.redbubble.com/sets/13033/works/2753911-virga-sunset or http://mojavedesert.net/overview/a01.html).
Anyhow, to varying degrees these things all often combine to significantly drop daytime high temperatures… intermittent shade from the clouds, evaporative cooling, and so on. We can go from 110 to 120’s down into the low 100’s or even high 90’s in a flash as soon as monsoon rolls in. As long as it doesn’t get too humid, those temps can be pretty comfortable, particularly with a bit of shade from the clouds and a light breeze. I know, folks who’ve never lived in hot desert conditions will probably find that almost impossible to believe, but it’s quite true. :0) On the other hand, once you get above a certain temp, maybe 112ish or so, and it’s just a durned blast furnace.
re post by: James Sexton says: July 6, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Shoot James, bring a video camera!! Then just use the pen and paper to note any thoughts you have as the discussion goes along. Why write it all down when these days you can get the stories on video and capture not only the story, but also voice, expression, emotions….
all the cars here were covred in dust, the car washes were making a lot of money
re post by: wsbriggs says: July 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Sad to say, but which ever ‘teacher’ taught you that needs to either be fired, or get remedial education if they haven’t since learned better – and maybe even then if they are as off base about other issues as they were about where haboobs can occur. Along those same lines, I was floored to see an msnbc article quoting a meterologist who was making a similar claim, that large dust storms (haboobs) only occur in Az, the Sahara, and the middle east. It takes almost no time with the most simple of online searches to discover that they occur all over the world – pretty much anywhere that is arid or semi arid. For your teacher to claim that they only occur in Az is just sad on so many different fronts – like dust storms somehow magically know our state boundaries and just instantly stop before crossing into New Mexico or Nevada? They quite commonly occur not only in Az, but also New Mexico and Texas, and less often in quite a few other states. If you go back to the dust bowl years they were all over the place. They occur in parts of China and India, and in Australia, and in S. America, and so on.
As to the camel experiment – it was during the 1850’s and 60’s, and for the most part successful. The camels adjusted well and functioned very well in the US SouthWest. According to the US Quartermaster History Museum (http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/historyweek/26aug-1sep.htm):
Some report that the last wild camel was seen in the 1930’s. Here’s another report of the experiement… it also notes problems with the camel’s disposition, smell, and fear of horses, burro’s and donkey’s unused to seeing them, but goes on to state: