Starship Asterisk*

I live with Kris and am very curious about the photo. More about the snow: It had been in place for more than a week and had a solid icy crust. Most likely there was a slight mound around the tree from snow falling off. In addition the wind had blown steadily for at least two days so the entire snow...

When the word "dust" is used is there and earthly analogy. Are we talking a desert sand storm or something more or less dense?