Desert soil varies in texture, occasionally sandy and gravelly or even containing clay layers. Desert soil (also known as Aridisols) exhibits high mineral content and little moisture. Desert soil contains low organic matter, resulting in dryer soil and less vegetation. Most of the rainwater collected resides deep within the soil for plants like cacti to absorb.

Deserts are the driest biomes on the planet. While rainforests receive about 2,000 mm of rainfall annually, deserts receive under 400. The daytime temperature of deserts averages about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nighttime temperature can reach temperatures of 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Deserts have a humidity level of 21 percent. A haboob is a strong wind along the edges of the Sahara desert associated with dust storms and thunderstorms. Haboobs can reach heights up to 1,000 meters.