Sand and dust storms typically occur in arid environments<\/a> where the ground is dry, loose and vegetation-free. But they can inflict severe and lasting damage on homes and buildings, solar panels<\/a> and farm machinery<\/a>. And as our planet rapidly warms, sand and dust storms will become more common<\/a>.<\/p>\n So what does this mean for arid nations like Australia? And what can we do about it?<\/p>\n CC BY-NC-ND<\/a><\/p>\n Our climate is rapidly warming, dramatically reshaping weather around the globe. In this three-part series, we explore a range of emerging climate phenomena and consider how to respond to their destructive effects.<\/p>\n Where the dust blows\u2026<\/p>\n In Australia, our dust storms mainly come from the vast, dry region of the Lake Eyre Basin<\/a> in central and outback Australia.<\/p>\n Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre and Mudna-Lake Frome are two ephemeral lakes from this region that periodically flood<\/a> and then dry out. This process brings new sediment that, when the water disappears, dries out and can then be lifted up by strong winds. Dust storms also form in South Australia\u2019s semi-arid regions<\/a> and the intensively farmed areas of Victoria and western New South Wales.<\/p>\n In Australia, dust storms travel across two main paths: from the Lake Eyre Basin across south-east Australia<\/a>, and from central Australia out to Western Australia<\/a>. However, recent evidence suggests there\u2019s a third, largely unrecognised<\/a> dust pathway stretching from the Lake Eyre Basin into northern Queensland and northern Australia.<\/p>\n Read more: Damaging dust<\/p>\n Sand and dust can cause major disruptions to everyday life. <\/p>\n Transport networks are particularly vulnerable. Sand and dust particles reduce visibility and prevent tyres from gripping the road properly, leading to more vehicle crashes<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sand and dust storms also damage infrastructure<\/a>. They can wear down farm equipment and irrigation systems, uproot fences and pollute water reservoirs. Sand and dust storms are costly to clean up. After they roll through, farmers can be left with broken machinery, reduced crop yields and less fertile topsoil. We saw this after the 2009 \u201cRed Dawn<\/a>\u201d dust storm that swept across eastern Australia. In New South Wales alone, affected landowners spent an estimated A$5.1 million<\/a> rebuilding their farms.<\/p>\n Sand and dust storms can hamper energy production<\/a>. If dust settles on solar panels \u2013 a process known as \u201csoiling<\/a>\u201d \u2013 they work less efficiently and need regular cleaning. One study<\/a> found dust reduced how much power solar panels generated each month by roughly 4.5%.<\/p>\n However, sand and dust storms don\u2019t just inflict visible damage. These storms carry microscopic particles that, if inhaled, can enter your lungs and bloodstream and cause various health problems<\/a>. Dust particles may contain heavy metals<\/a> such as iron and aluminium. They can absorb pathogens and facilitate the spread of infectious diseases<\/a> such as Valley fever<\/a> and bacterial meningitis<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more: When dust, drought and fire converge<\/p>\n In the 1940s, several severe dust storms swept across Australia, mainly due to the drying effects of intensive livestock grazing. So the term \u201cAustralian dust bowl<\/a>\u201d was born. This dusty era ushered in a new wave of land management<\/a> and soil conservation policies designed to keep the dust at bay.<\/p>\n These environmental policies proved effective, and since that period south-east Australia has not recorded such high levels of dust. But today, more dust flies around during prolonged droughts. We saw this during the 2009 \u201cRed Dawn<\/a>\u201d dust storm and the \u201cTinderbox drought<\/a>\u201d of 2017-19, which coincided with the horrific Black Summer bushfires. This compounding disaster<\/a> \u2013 when two or more disasters occur together or in quick succession \u2013 devastated many communities and put immense pressure on emergency responders<\/a>. <\/p>\n Recent storms suggest the dust is far from settled. In 2025, Sydneysiders were again shrouded in red dust<\/a>, while just months later Northern Territory mine workers were caught<\/a> in an intense dust storm racing across the Tanami Desert. And last May, a dust storm and its unrelenting winds ravaged the South Australian town of Port Pirie<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more: So, what can we do?<\/p>\n To prepare for future sand and dust storms, we urgently need more research. We are currently investigating how the on-and-off flooding of rivers in the Lake Eyre Basin produces dust. Satellites are also helping us better understand<\/a> where major dust storms come from and travel to in Australia. <\/p>\n The effect of climate change on these processes should be another research priority. And we must also ensure our environmental policies<\/a> address both why we are experiencing more dust and how we can protect our communities, ecosystems and infrastructure from the damage it causes.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786855710_221_file-20260806-50-66clij.png\")
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\n Raining one week, dusty the next \u2013 how did a dust storm make it all the way to rainy Sydney?<\/a><\/p>\n
\n Explainer: how a dust storm, and hazardous air quality, can harm your health<\/a><\/p>\n
\n What caused the blood red skies in Western Australia? A weather expert explains<\/a><\/p>\n