A shamal is a northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq and the Persian Gulf states, often strong during the day, but decreasing at night. This weather effect occurs from once to several times a year, mostly in summer, but sometimes in winter. The resulting wind typically creates large sandstorms that impact Iraq, most sand having been picked up from Jordan and Syria.
A shamal overspreading Iraq
A dust storm, also called a sandstorm, is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. Fine particles are transported by saltation and suspension, a process that moves soil from one place and deposits it in another.
A sandstorm approaching Al Asad April 27, 2005.
An aerial view of a sandstorm over the Namib Desert
Dust storm in Sahara, painted by George Francis Lyon
Sydney shrouded in dust during the 2009 Australian dust storm.