Sahara Winds and Sandstorms A sandstorm is a wind storm that carries sand through hot, electrically charged air. The air becomes filled with dust and sand particles, usually swirling about no higher than 3-15 meters. Sandstorm speeds exceed 16 kilometers per hour and usually die out within three to five hours. In the Sahara Desert hamsin wind (meaning 50-day wind) continuously blows across the the desert, from March until May.