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

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."

Among Burning Man attendees, it's become an article of faith that outsiders will seize any opportunity to suggest the event has lost its cool.