A major dust storm has developed across portions of Middle East and willpersist through the weekend.

An area of low pressure stalled over the Caspian Sea has combined with anarea of high pressure over southern Pakistan to produce gusty west tosouthwesterly winds over Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and portions of Turkmenistan.

These gusty winds have caused areas of blowing dust to spread acrossportions of Iraq and Iran the past couple of days, lowering visibilities tonear 0 miles at times. These gusty winds will persist through the weekend,causing widespread blowing dusting across Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Visibilities at times will be reduced under 1 mile at times.

As the winds gradually ease early next week, the dust storm should subside.

Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller.