What is simoom?
Simoom is a strong, dry, dust-laden wind. The word is generally used to describe a local wind that blows in the Sahara, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and the deserts of Arabian Peninsula. Its temperature may exceed 54 °C (129 °F) and the humidity may fall below 10%.
The name means "poison wind" and is given because the sudden onset of simoom may also cause heatstroke. This is attributed to the fact that the hot wind brings more heat to the body than can be disposed of by the evaporation of perspiration.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
14 Comments
Mary Ruth Martell
Perhaps Carol meant desert for one of the options, not cake or pie or ice cream??
Denise Currie
Thanks to Michael Palin for that answer, I am sure he mentioned it on one of his travel documentary shows
klmilles
Linda Wanta, "Haboob" is an Arabic word and it refers to a violent dust storm not limited to the USA.
Karin Johansson
Samum actually!
dmarkc
One more draw to the oil-laden desert.
Wayne Jines
Mary Ruth Martell, You're probably giving her too much credit.
Helga U. Williams
Dessert does not sound so good in a dusty desert! Sometimes it's tough to proofread your own writing!
skclary
Thanks for the picture as it helped me!
Chrissie
And we get this all the time in Scotland .....
Chrissie
Mary Ruth Martell, I suspected that too.
Barb Schmidt
prob repeating but dont sneeze just as you are answering, you hit the wrong one
deborahpmercer
Denise Currie, I love them so much!
Frank Cowell
Mary Ruth Martell, [sigh]
Lawanta
Perhaps similar to a SW USA "Haboob"....