Sand Storm - not quite Ghost Protocol

We were recently watching "Ghost Protocol" on DVD, the latest version of the "Mission Impossible" movies. Part of that movie was filmed in Dubai, depicting Tom Cruise dealing with a sandstorm rolling in from the desert in a manner like a tsunami.
Hollywood or reality?
Sand storms are most commonly experienced in the Sahara and the Arabian peninsula, although present in other parts of the world in arid conditions.
This past winter had been particularly dry as there had been no rain, none, zilch. However we had experienced a lot of wind, so conditions were ripe.
There can't always be sunshine with clear blue skies, although there is most of the time.
But sand & dust rolling in like a tsunami - yes, occasionally, but more commonly coming in like fog in a more insideous manner. But even in its "milder" forms schools get closed and many people stay inside. No rain, and hence no floods this year, but sand and dust produces its own limitations.
Fortunately it only lasted about a week, creeping in more gradually than the event depicted in "Ghost Protocol" then slowly dissipating.
Following are some images from our balcony and from the corniche region.

Fortunately not a common event, but a risk living on the edge of the desert.