A haboob is an intense dust storm brought into a dry region on a weather front. As thunderstorms develop, changing wind patterns can create powerfully, gusting winds forced ahead of the storm itself. Downdrafts of cold air forcibly driven onto the ground pick up dust, dirt, and other debris, creating a visible wall of the storm cloud. A haboob can be as long as 62 miles wile and over a mile in height. Dry air often causes the rain to evaporate before it hits the ground, while rain that does impact the ground, is filled with dust, and sometimes contains so much that the rain is called mud storms. Individuals should use eye and respiratory protection when this type of storm is approaching.