A dust storm which originated near the Syrian-Jordanian border swept across Iraq's western desert April 26, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps weather forecasters stationed at Al Asad, Iraq, described the dust storm as a downburst. The storm passed over in about 45 minutes, leaving a heavy sheet of dust in its wake. Forecasters say the wall of dust may have reached 4,000 to 5,000 feet, based on the height of the clouds above it. - DefeseLINK