Dust storms

Children in the arid and desert parts of Australia may experience dust storms, also known as sand storms. They occur in certain weather conditions when winds are strong enough to raise dust particles from the ground into the air. They are more common during periods of drought.

Dust storms reduce visibility and can negatively affect the environment and people with health conditions.

Dust devils (also known as whirly winds, willy willies and dust whirls) are similar to dust storms, but they are localised and less intense. They look like narrow columns of swirling dust that reach up into the sky.

The educational benefits of dust storms include observation skills.