Snow and sand are drifted by the wind in polar and desert regions, but as these are not highly populated, usually little disruption is caused. When there is a blizzard in a populated area however, it can paralyse all forms of transport and reduce visibility completely. Blizzards are snow storms in which visibility is very seriously reduced. Snow can also creep along the ground or be bounced around by winds in a process called saltation.

Sandstorms can rapidly change the appearance of an area with the shifting and re-forming of dunes by the wind. Dust storms in arid regions can be formed when small, light dust particles are blown in to the air, often lifted by the strong winds at the leading edge of a cold front. In some drought prone areas, a 'dustbowl' effect can be caused by prolonged drought over a long period because of persistent failure of the rains, and often exacerbated by overgrazing.