A sandstorm is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. They arise when a gust front blows loose sand and dust from a dry surface. Sandstorms in the Grand Theft Auto series is a type of weather exclusive to [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]. When sandstorms occur ingame, visibility is restricted to no more than a hundred metres, clouds of dust can be seen blowing, and the sky's colour changes to a dull brown. Sandstorms also have a physical impact on flying vehicles (such as [[fixed-wing aircraft]]), blowing them hard towards a particular direction, which is often more realistic but can make flying treacherous.