What natural meteorological phenomenon, occurring predominantly in spring and summer, consists of intense northwesterly winds blowing across the Arabian Peninsula that generate massive dust storms?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The Shamal winds
- Step 1: Analyze regional wind climatology: In Arabic, 'shamal' translates literally to 'north'.
- Step 2: The Shamal is a persistent northwesterly wind system that blows across Iraq and the Persian Gulf into eastern and central Saudi Arabia, whipping up blinding sandstorms.
Answer
The Shamal winds.
Why not the others: 'The Khamsin' is a hot, dry, dust-bearing wind blowing north across Egypt from the Sahara; 'The Sirocco' blows across the Mediterranean into southern Europe; 'The Harmattan' blows across West Africa.
Practise more Climate, Natural Resources and Conservation.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed General Knowledge (Saudi Arabia) mock tests.
More Climate, Natural Resources and Conservation questions
- What primary natural resource, discovered at Dammam Well No. 7 ('Prosperity Well') in 1938, transformed the economy of Saudi Arabia?
- What climate classification characterizes the overwhelming majority of the land area of Saudi Arabia according to the Köppen-Geiger climate…
- What industrial technology does Saudi Arabia rely on more than any other nation to supply the majority of its domestic urban potable drinkin…
- Which world-renowned national oil company, headquartered in Dhahran, manages the Kingdom's vast petroleum reserves?
- Which native ungulate species, once declared extinct in the wild, was successfully reintroduced into protected reserves across Saudi Arabia…
- What type of deep underground water reservoirs, accumulated during prehistoric pluvial periods, provide vital non-renewable water for agricu…