Wind pressure is proportional to pressure times velocity, so a 400 kph wind on Mars at 1% Earth's pressure is equivalent to a 4 kph breeze on Earth. - Not a worry.

The winds are probably not the problem, but poor visibility may be - if the landing site is "fogged in" then the craft will have to take a leap into the unknown (But actually, all the landing systems are automatic, so they should be able to do this).

The other issue is solar power availability due to the slight blocking of the atmosphere and the heavier dust coating on the solar arrays. The Vikling craft were RTG powered, which kept them warm and alive for years. Pathfinder lasted only months, and its solar cells decreased in performance day-by-day.

A global storm would shorten the mission lifetime by up to 50%, but should still allow the nominal landed mission to be completed.

Orbiters will just have to wait to acquire their data, unless it is relevant to atmospheric dynamics, in which case we'll learn more about dust storms on the Red Planet.

As for position, it'll be just fine again for us here in Australia. :-) Last year's opposition was magnificent, with a red glowing orb the colour and intensity of a high-pressure sodium lamp to the naked eye.

Come and visit us in 2003 and get a real clear-skies experience.