Plain English Meaning

Wind picking up sand and blowing it through the air in such quantity that you cannot see far through it.

Full Definition

Strong winds lifting large quantities of sand into the air, reducing surface and low-level visibility, often to less than three miles. SIGMETs are issued for widespread sandstorms because they create hazardous flight conditions and can damage aircraft surfaces, windscreens, and engines.

Context Anchor

Seen in SIGMETs, weather briefings, and route planning for dry or desert areas where wind can pick up loose sand.

Derivation

“Sand” and “storm” both come from old English words meaning sand and violent . The combined word is useful because it points to the directly: this is not just wind, but wind carrying sand.