Blinding dust storms, thunderstorms and high winds greet the thousands descending on the Nevada desert for the annual Burning Man festival

Burning Man attendees faced the threat of dust storms and heavy rain as the festival opened, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing weather alerts for northern and central Nevada. Burning Man is a week-long festival set in the desert, where attendees create art, music and culture.

Mother Nature caused a pause for Burning Man. Winds whipped up a massive dust storm that tossed tents and art installations, SF Gate reported. The National Weather Service called it a “wall of blowing dust."