Haboobs vs Dust Storms: Arizona’s Fierce Debate

If you’ve lived in Arizona long enough, you’ve seen it: a massive wall of dust rolling across the desert, swallowing the skyline in minutes. But what do you call it—a dust storm or a haboob?

Turns out, the name has a history—and a little controversy.

The Origins of the Word “Haboob”

The word haboob comes from the Arabic word habb (meaning "to blow"). It’s been used for centuries in Sudan and the Arabian Peninsula to describe intense desert dust storms.

Meteorologists in the U.S. began using the term in the 1970s and 1980s when studying similar storms here in the Southwest.

By the early 2000s, local news stations and weather services adopted haboob as the official meteorological term. The word stuck—and for many, it sounds more dramatic, mysterious, and frankly, fun to say.

Why Some People Still Say “Dust Storm”

Not everyone has embraced the term. Some argue that dust storm is plain English, more familiar, and less confusing. Others feel haboob makes it sound like Arizona is trying too hard to be exotic. The debate occasionally gets heated, with some locals passionately defending their preferred term.

At the end of the day, they both describe the same thing: a fast-moving wall of dust driven by collapsing thunderstorm winds.

What to Do When a Haboob/Dust Storm Hits

Whether you call it a haboob or a dust storm, here’s how to stay safe:

• Driving: Pull off the road completely if you can’t see. Turn off lights and keep your foot off the brake to avoid being rear-ended.

• At Home: Close windows, doors, and vents. Dust can infiltrate quickly.

• Health: Those with asthma or breathing issues should stay indoors—dust particles can linger for hours.

Enter the “Dustboob”

At Zona Coffee Company, we decided to have some fun with the debate. That’s how we came up with the Dustboob—a playful nod to Arizona’s biggest dust storms and the arguments they spark. It’s part of our spirit: rooted in the desert, never afraid to poke fun, and always keeping things local.

So the next time a wall of dust rolls in, don’t worry about what to call it. Just grab your coffee, hunker down, and enjoy the view. And if you want to wear a piece of Arizona humor the next time a storm hits, check out our DUSTBOOB SHIRT HERE and join the debate in style.