Video shows haboobs, or powerful dust storm, 'brown-out' portions of Texas, New Mexico

Regions across New Mexico and Texas were temporarily shrouded by a brown mist on Monday, when a unique weather event swept through both states.

The dust storms, known as haboobs, and the high-speed wind gusts that fuel its movement made "travel hazardous" across the central and southern Plains on Monday afternoon, The National Weather Service Prediction Center said in a post on X.

"They may cause power outages from downed power lines. Widespread critical to extreme fire weather conditions will persist over the southern High Plains for the next few days," the post reads. "Blowing dust may lead to sudden drops in visibility."

Road closures, air quality alerts and business closures were in effect for residents in both New Mexico and Texas through at least 7:30 p.m. local time on Monday. The National Weather Service in El Paso issued Dust Storm Warnings for multiple roadways near El Paso and Lordsburg, New Mexico.

New Mexico State Police also shut down certain roadways due to "weather conditions," that resulted in low visibility.

Most, not if not all roadways have since been reopened, but officials have warned residents to exercise caution since Tuesday was going to be "another windy day with blowing dust," according to the National Weather Service in El Paso.

What is a haboob?

A haboob, derived from Arabic term "habb" which means to blow, was originally used to describe "wind or sandstorms" that occurred in central and northern Sudan, which averages about 24 a year, according to the American Meteorological Society.

Now, it's typically used to describe "any" intense wind-driven sandstorm or dust storm that can loft sand or dust thousands of feet into the air, creating a visually stunning "wall of dust," the American Meteorological Society said.

Haboobs occur when air is forced down and pushed forward by traveling thunderstorm cell, dragging dust and debris with it, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Worldwide, haboobs have been seen in the Middle East, Arabian Peninsula, the Sahara Desert and in central Australia. In the U.S., haboobs are typically observed in regions in the Southwest, "from the Sonoran Desert of northwest Mexico and Arizona to the western portions of the Great Plains," according to the American Meteorological Society.

What to do if you're caught in a dust storm

Since visibility can fall quickly when driving near dust sources, the National Weather Service in El Paso has encouraged motorists to "use caution and have a plan if 'brown-out' conditions happen while on the road."

Here are some tips that may help, if you are to ever find yourself in the middle of dust storm:

• Pull off the road as far as possible

• Stop and turn off all lights

• Set the emergency brake

• Take your foot off the brake, make sure taillights aren't illuminated

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Haboobs coat portions of New Mexico, Texas in brown mist: See video