Saharan dust storms have historically impacted air quality in Texas cities, including San Antonio, by introducing harmful bacteria, fungi, and pollutants into the atmosphere, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions and allergies among residents during heavy dust events.

These dust storms often result in hazy skies and reduced air quality, with noticeable effects such as milky hues during the day and vibrant orange sunrises and sunsets, particularly during peak dust periods from late spring to early fall.

The health impacts of Saharan dust storms in Texas include increased respiratory issues, particularly for individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), necessitating precautions such as staying indoors and avoiding outdoor activities during high dust concentrations.

Saharan dust storms influence local temperature and weather patterns by reducing atmospheric moisture, which can suppress cloud formation and thunderstorm activity, as observed in the Gulf Coast and Florida during the summer months.

These storms also reflect sunlight back into space, contributing to a cooling effect on the Earth's surface, which counterbalances the warming effects of greenhouse gases and impacts regional temperatures in areas like the Gulf of Mexico.

In addition to temperature changes, Saharan dust storms create hazy skies and vibrant sunsets due to increased particle scattering, altering the visual appearance of the horizon and impacting air quality.

Cardiovascular health can also be adversely affected by Saharan dust, as smaller particles can enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and potentially triggering cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

In San Antonio, Saharan dust storms have led to hazy skies and reduced air quality, posing health risks to individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD, prompting advisories to stay indoors during peak dust periods.

To address the health impacts of Saharan dust storms, measures such as monitoring air quality, issuing public health advisories, and encouraging the use of masks and air filtration systems have been recommended to protect vulnerable populations.

Saharan dust storms pose risks to urban power grid infrastructure by reducing the efficiency of solar energy systems, as dust accumulation on solar panels can decrease their capacity by up to 80%, necessitating cleaning and maintenance.

The fine particles carried by Saharan dust storms can infiltrate electrical equipment, potentially causing damage or reducing the lifespan of components, especially in areas with high dust concentrations.

Dust storms can exacerbate air pollution and visibility issues, indirectly impacting power grid operations by increasing the likelihood of accidents or delays in maintenance activities.

Saharan dust storms significantly reduce visibility in urban areas, posing risks to traffic safety and public health due to increased air pollution and respiratory hazards.

Authorities in Spain have implemented mitigation strategies such as advising residents to wear masks, avoid outdoor activities, and limit exposure to dust during storms, which could serve as a model for cities like San Antonio.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service provides continuous air quality forecasts to track Saharan dust transport, enabling policymakers and residents to make informed decisions to mitigate its impacts on visibility and health.

Saharan dust storms positively impact the environment in the Americas by delivering nutrient-rich particles, such as phosphorus, which fertilize ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest and the Caribbean Sea.

The dust also benefits oceanic ecosystems by providing essential minerals that stimulate phytoplankton growth, supporting fish populations and influencing global marine productivity.

Additionally, Saharan dust storms suppress hurricane development in the Atlantic by introducing dry air that reduces moisture availability, thereby limiting the formation and intensity of tropical cyclones.

Regions of the Americas most frequently impacted by Saharan dust storms include the Caribbean, Gulf Coast states such as Texas and Florida, and parts of Central America, as these areas lie along the transatlantic path of dust plumes.

Common weather patterns associated with Saharan dust storms include reduced rainfall, increased temperatures, and hazy skies, as the dry air and dust particles suppress cloud formation and thunderstorm activity.

City planners should issue public health advisories emphasizing the risks of respiratory issues, allergies, and potential exposure to pathogens carried by Saharan dust storms.

Infrastructure protection measures should include ensuring the readiness of drainage systems and cleaning dust-prone areas to prevent blockages, as proactive maintenance can mitigate environmental impacts.

Coordination with emergency services and public safety agencies is essential, as demonstrated by Sharjah Police's approach to distributing traffic patrols and issuing safety guidelines during adverse weather conditions.

Meteorologists forecast Saharan dust storms using satellite measurements and models like the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which track aerosol optical depth and dust concentrations to predict transport patterns and air quality impacts.

Tools such as NOAA’s Saharan Air Layer (SAL) forecast and NASA’s atmospheric tomography missions provide detailed insights into the movement and intensity of dust plumes, enabling predictions of their effects on weather systems.

Advanced instruments like single-particle mass spectrometers are deployed during aerial sampling missions to analyze the chemical composition of dust particles, helping to understand their role in atmospheric processes.

In Barbados, the implementation of a Sahara dust warning system similar to Trinidad's air quality index has been suggested to help individuals with respiratory conditions prepare and protect themselves during dust events.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides continuous air quality forecasts to track Saharan dust transport, enabling policymakers and residents to make informed decisions to reduce exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter.

Recent studies have highlighted the economic impacts of Saharan dust storms, particularly in urban areas of the Americas, where they disrupt air quality, public health, and infrastructure such as airports and transportation systems.

In Houston, Texas, Saharan dust storms have been linked to increased respiratory issues and allergies, as well as disruptions in visibility and air quality, underscoring the need for urban preparedness and health monitoring systems.

Saharan dust interacts with local pollutants in urban areas by contributing to elevated levels of particulate matter, such as PM10 and PM2.5, which can exacerbate air pollution and respiratory health issues.

Public communication strategies have effectively educated citizens about Saharan dust storms by leveraging air quality monitoring systems, such as the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which provides real-time forecasts and alerts.

Cities can deploy advanced air quality monitoring systems, such as those equipped with automatic stations to measure particulate matter and visibility, to track the concentration and movement of Saharan dust storms.

Satellite-based monitoring and forecasting systems, like those used by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), can predict the trajectory and intensity of dust storms, enabling cities to issue timely warnings.

Saharan dust storms can disrupt infrastructure in San Antonio by reducing visibility, which poses risks to transportation systems such as roadways and air travel, and can lead to accidents or delays in operations.

The dust particles can settle on solar panels, significantly reducing their efficiency, which may impact the city's power grid by lowering renewable energy output during dust events.

Additionally, the dust can carry harmful microorganisms and pollutants, which may exacerbate respiratory health issues among residents and strain healthcare systems, further highlighting vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure.

Saharan dust storms can introduce harmful bacteria, fungi, and pollutants into urban water sources, potentially complicating water treatment processes and posing risks to public health.

In Europe, Saharan dust storms have been shown to mix with rain, forming mud that can clog drainage systems and increase the burden on water treatment facilities.

Future urban planning in affected areas like San Antonio should incorporate strategies such as improved air quality monitoring, public health preparedness, and infrastructure adaptations to mitigate the adverse effects of increasingly frequent and severe dust storms.

Saharan dust storms have historically impacted air quality in Texas cities, including San Antonio, by introducing harmful bacteria, fungi, and pollutants into the atmosphere, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions and allergies among residents during heavy dust events.

Title:

Content: 03-27-2024

Sahara desert dust storms carry harmful bacteria and fungi around the globe

We often dismiss springtime allergies as reactions to local pollen. Yet, something else might cause our sniffles and sneezes: a massive dust storms that originate thousands of miles away in Africa’s Sahara region.

These gargantuan dust plumes travel the globe every summer, carrying a cocktail of pollutants and potential pathogens across continents.

Dr. Shankar Chellam, a Texas A&M University professor is leading the charge to understand the biological hitchhikers within dust storms.

He and his team are working to determine what microbes, specifically bacteria and fungi, migrate with the dust and explore their potential impact on human health.

Hidden passengers in Sahara dust

“We all get allergies and potentially other more severe health effects when we breathe in dust, and it’s not fully known as to what causes those allergies,” said Dr. Chellam.

“Some people may think it is just the sand or clay minerals in the dust. Others think it is the metals or organics in the dust, and then some think it’s the bacteria and fungi.”

The Saharan dust cloud carries vast amounts of sand particles that transport bacteria and fungi.

Dr. Chellam’s research uniquely addresses how Saharan dust storms introduce these microbes into North America.

What the dust storm from Sahara tells us

Dr. Chellam and his team analyzed samples from a Saharan dust event that reached Houston in 2018. They measured metals, bacteria, and fungi to investigate any connections.

Fascinatingly, their findings revealed strong links between the biodiversity of the microbes and specific elements, especially calcium.

While these elements occur naturally in the Sahara, they also exist in our local environments. Pinpointing the exact origin of the dust and its cargo remains a challenge that scientists continue to tackle.

Our air – Not as empty as we think

Perhaps the most startling discovery is that even seemingly lifeless clouds of dust brim with biological activity.

“A key takeaway from this study is that a lot of biodiversity is not scientifically described. It doesn’t have a name, it can’t be cultured, and because it can’t be cultured, it’s difficult to study,” explained Dr. Daniel Spalink, assistant professor at Texas A&M.

The team’s high-tech DNA analysis allowed them to create an inventory of bacteria and fungi, even if the microbes themselves weren’t active.

Surprisingly, they found traces of several pathogens known to cause disease in humans, as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It doesn’t tell us if they are going to be able to infect us and make us sick,” Spalink cautions, “But at least the DNA of several pathogenic bacteria and fungi were identified in the African dust.”

Impact of climate change on Sahara dust

Climate change is altering weather patterns globally. This transformation affects dust storm behavior, leading to variations in their frequency and intensity.

In 2020, the United States experienced the most massive Saharan dust storm ever recorded, which experts named “Godzilla.”

This event highlighted the potential for increasing occurrences of such dust invasions. “The whole dynamics of the Saharan dust coming to Houston is primarily driven by atmospheric processes,” said Dr. Sourav Das, a former student of Dr. Chellam.

Global connection of Sahara dust

Sahara dust storm travels far beyond the borders of North America, affecting global environmental systems in profound ways.

This dust, originating from the vast Sahara Desert, embarks on transcontinental journeys that influence climate, ocean biology, and ecosystems far removed from its source.

The Saharan dust plays a critical role in climate regulation. As it travels across oceans and continents, it reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth’s surface.

This natural phenomenon acts as a counterbalance to the warming effects of greenhouse gases, showcasing how desert dust can influence global temperatures.

However, the dust also carries microorganisms and nutrients, such as phosphorus, that fertilize remote ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the Caribbean Sea, demonstrating nature’s complex nutrient cycles.

Benefits to oceans

Ocean biology benefits from the nutrient-rich dust as well. When Saharan dust settles on ocean waters, it delivers essential minerals that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton.

These microscopic plants form the foundation of the oceanic food chain, supporting a diverse array of marine life.

The influx of nutrients from the Sahara can thus boost marine productivity, affecting fish populations and the global fishing industry.

Disadvantages

The impact of Saharan dust is not universally beneficial. In ecosystems unaccustomed to the influx of foreign particles and nutrients, the dust can disrupt local environments.

For example, excessive dust deposition can smother coral reefs, blocking sunlight and hindering photosynthesis. This can stress coral ecosystems, leading to bleaching events and loss of biodiversity.

Moreover, the health implications of Saharan dust extend across continents. The dust carries not only nutrients but also pollutants and pathogens that can affect air quality and public health.

Communities in the path of these dust plumes may experience increased respiratory issues, allergies, and diseases, highlighting the need for global health monitoring and preparedness.

Study insights

It’s crucial to gather data across multiple dust events, spanning many years, to get a clearer picture of these airborne microbial communities and how they might transform over time.

While a lot remains unknown, research like this shines a spotlight on the hidden travelers swirling in the air we breathe — travelers who might be affecting our health in surprising ways.

The next time you catch a glimpse of a dust storm rolling in, remember the globe-trotting microbes it carries!

The findings of the study are published in Environmental Science & Technology.

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How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

These dust storms often result in hazy skies and reduced air quality, with noticeable effects such as milky hues during the day and vibrant orange sunrises and sunsets, particularly during peak dust periods from late spring to early fall.

Title:

Content: Hurricane Killer? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust

Dust from Africa moves across the Atlantic every year from late spring to early fall

It’s a common visitor in the summer months: dust from the Saharan Desert. Hazy skies and occasional allergies are common issues caused by the dust. But did you know that this layer of dust is more interesting than it appears? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Millions of tons of dust are transported across the Atlantic every year
  • Nutrient-rich Saharan dust plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem
  • Dust suppresses hurricane development

WHOLE LOTTA DUST!

Every year, from late spring to early fall, trade winds transport 180 million tons of dust from the Saharan Desert across the Atlantic Ocean. Impressively, that’s as much as 4.5 million 18-wheelers full of dust!

NATURE’S BEST FRIEND

Saharan dust is often rich in nutrients like iron and phosphorus. As the dust settles over the ocean, it fertilizes algae and plankton, allowing them to grow and flourish in an otherwise barren environment. These organisms are vital sources of food for ocean life.

Similarly, as the dust settles over land, areas like the Amazon rainforest benefit from the extra nutrients.

HURRICANE EXTINGUISHER

The African dust that moves across the Atlantic Ocean is also called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The SAL occurs in waves at the same time as Atlantic hurricane season, from June through November.

It’s known that the SAL limits hurricane development and strength. This is because tropical storms like hurricanes need deep, rich moisture from the surface to the top of the atmosphere to survive. Since the air carrying Saharan dust is usually dry, it can prevent storms from forming and suppress existing storms from growing and strengthening.

DUST’S IMPACT ON TEXAS

While a dense plume of dust sometimes causes minor allergy-like symptoms for some, the most noticeable impact is on Texas skies. A haze often forms on the horizon, giving an ordinarily clear, blue sky a milky hue during the day.

At sunrise and sunset, the horizon can appear brilliantly orange because, with dust in the air, sunlight has more particles to bounce off.

About the Author

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

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How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

makes the sky hazy
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colorful sunsets

The health impacts of Saharan dust storms in Texas include increased respiratory issues, particularly for individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), necessitating precautions such as staying indoors and avoiding outdoor activities during high dust concentrations.

Title:

Content: Breaking News
More () »

San Antonians may want to stay indoors next week. Here's why.

A noticeable change in the air will arrive to the Alamo City next week.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio skies could look quite different next week but not in the way we're hoping for.

As San Antonians eagerly wait for rain to break our triple-digit temperatures another common occurrence will pick-up next week known as Saharan dust.

The dust is a combination of sand and dust traveling from North Africa across the Atlantic that peaking in late June through mid-August.

Light amounts of Saharan dust have arrived to the Alamo City this past week but will become more noticeable. Therefore, if you have asthma, COPD or any other type of respiratory illness you will want to stay indoors as much as possible during this time.

Timing of Saharan dust:

Monday - Little changes will be in the forecast as heavier amounts of dust remain over the gulf coast.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Tuesday - A large moderate level of Saharan dust will move into South Texas and San Antonio by late afternoon. San Antonians may notice hazy skies and trouble breathing if you're more sensitive to dusty air. But the dust doesn't stop here.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Wednesday - By mid-week Saharan dust ramps up continuing to build and push farther north stretching to the Dallas area. The continuing flow of the dust is partly due to a high pressure bringing a southeasterly flow to help pump the dust toward South Texas.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Thursday - As the week progresses dust levels continue to rise and could affect air quality levels. For those with any respiratory illnesses they should avoid outdoor activity including vigorous exercise. Also try to keep windows and doors closed. We will continue to monitor this development next week.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

As dust increases across the area, San Antonians will notice more vibrant sunrises and sunsets. However, during the afternoons the sky appears a more milky white color.

Before You Leave, Check This Out

How can people protect their health during Saharan dust storms?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

Saharan dust storms influence local temperature and weather patterns by reducing atmospheric moisture, which can suppress cloud formation and thunderstorm activity, as observed in the Gulf Coast and Florida during the summer months.

Title:

Content: Saharan dust reaches stunning levels in Atlantic. Here's what that means for hurricane season

Significant Saharan dust plumes are common in the Atlantic during the start of hurricane season. If levels of SAL maintain a steadiness after about Aug. 20, then there would be significant ramifications to both the amount of cyclones and their overall strength.

First, Europe that was socked in by record levels of dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa. The Atlantic appears to have now taken the lead, with dust levels not seen in years across parts of the basin.

Satellite measurements indicate intensive plumes of dust, called the Saharan Air Layer, across much of the eastern Atlantic. Traces of dust have even made the more than 4,000-mile journey to Florida and the Gulf Coast.

Sunrises and sunsets have been enhanced across the Sunshine State as the particles scatter typical colors, allowing hues of orange, yellow and red to dominate the sky.

Aside from the vibrant colors, something not falling from the sky is precipitation.

According to NOAA, the air surrounding the SAL has about 50% less moisture than the typical atmosphere. This means the presence of the SAL can be detrimental to cloud formation and thunderstorm activity.

Significant plumes of dust and dry air are common during the first months of the hurricane season and usually persist through mid-August.

A LOOK AT A PHENOMENON THAT COULD DERAIL AN ACTIVE HURRICANE SEASON

How Saharan dust impacts hurricane season

NOAA estimates that more than 180 million tons of dust leave the African continent every year, reducing thunderstorm activity and tropical cyclone formation.

Dry air and Saharan dust are perennial wild cards in tropical weather outlooks, as meteorology has yet to develop sufficient methods to forecast plumes weeks and months in advance.

Years with significant dust often experience reduced cyclone activity. Seasons with minimal dust typically rank at the top echelons of activity, thanks to increased moisture availability for tropical systems and warmer water temperatures.

The current season is a bit unusual as water temperatures started on the warm side across much of the basin, negating any minor effects from a dust storm.

Warm waters and limited exposure to dry air helped with the formations of AlbertoBeryl and Chris during late June and early July.

Since Beryl’s historic trek through the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico, the basin has been relatively quiet, a likely product of the increase in dry air.

The trend for limited activity in the Atlantic basin is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, meaning that the next cyclone formation may be weeks away.

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE SAHARAN DUST PLUME

During an average year, the fourth-named storm usually doesn’t form until about Aug. 15, meaning any formation during the next month will keep the season ahead of a typical schedule.

Despite the hostile conditions in the Atlantic, hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University maintain that 2024 will be a busy season in the Atlantic.

CSU released its updated outlook Tuesday, which calls for an additional 22 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

"This forecast is of above-normal confidence. We anticipate a well above-average probability for major hurricane landfalls along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean," CSU forecasters stated during their most recent tropical update. "As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season."

The season runs through Nov. 30, but nearly 60% of cyclone formation occurs in August and September.

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How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

These storms also reflect sunlight back into space, contributing to a cooling effect on the Earth's surface, which counterbalances the warming effects of greenhouse gases and impacts regional temperatures in areas like the Gulf of Mexico.

Title:

Content: Dust storms from the Sahara desert spread invisible allergens around the world
Science and Technology
Copy Link https: / / en.rt.com / x903
Many blame pollen when the allergy season begins, but there are “invisible travelers ” coming from the Sahara and Sahel region, who may be the cause of this allergy.
The huge dust plumes, which originate thousands of miles away in sub-Saharan Africa, travel by dust storms around the world every summer, carrying a mix of pollutants and potential pathogens across continents.
Dr. Shankar Chilam, a professor at Texas A & M University, led the task of understanding the biological movers within dust storms.
He and his team are working to identify microbes, specifically bacteria and fungi, that migrate with dust and explore their potential impact on human health.
Dr. Chillam ’ s research uniquely addresses how desert dust storms introduced these microbes into North America.
Dr Chillam and his team analysed samples of desert dust that arrived in Houston in 2018, measuring minerals, bacteria and fungi to check for any links.
Surprisingly, their findings revealed strong links between microbial biodiversity and specific elements, especially calcium.
While these elements occur naturally in the Sahara Desert, they are also found in local North American environments.
Identifying the exact source and payload of the dust remains a challenge that scientists continue to face.
Perhaps the most surprising discovery is that even seemingly lifeless dust clouds are full of biological activity.
High-tech DNA analysis allowed the team to create a reservoir of bacteria and fungi, even if the microbes themselves were not active.
Surprisingly, they found traces of several pathogens known to cause disease in humans, according to the World Health Organization.
Dr Daniel Spalink, an assistant professor at Texas A & M University, warns: “This doesn ’ t tell us whether they will be able to infect us and make us sick, but at least the DNA of many pathogenic bacteria and fungi has been identified in African dust. ”
Climate change is changing weather patterns globally.
This shift affects the behavior of dust storms, leading to differences in their frequency and severity.
The dust storm in the Sahara travels far beyond the borders of North America, affecting global ecosystems in profound ways.
The dust, which originates from the vast Sahara desert, is released on transcontinental journeys that affect climate, ocean biology and ecosystems far from its source.
As it travels across oceans and continents, desert dust reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth ’ s surface.
This natural phenomenon acts as a counterbalance to the greenhouse effects of greenhouse gases, illustrating how desert dust can affect global temperatures.
Dust also carries microorganisms and nutrients, such as phosphorus, which fertilises remote ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the Caribbean Sea, demonstrating complex nutrient cycles in nature.
Ocean biology also benefits from nutrient-rich dust.
When desert dust settles on ocean waters, it provides essential minerals that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton that form the basis of the oceanic food chain and support a variety of marine life.
Thus, the flow of food from the Sahara could boost marine productivity, affecting fish populations and the global fishing industry.
But the effect of desert dust is not always beneficial, and in ecosystems unusual for the flow of foreign particles and nutrients, the dust can disrupt local environments.For example, excessive dust deposition can strangle corals, block sunlight and hinder photosynthesis.
Moreover, the health effects of desert dust extend across continents, where dust not only carries nutrients but also contaminants and pathogens that can affect air quality and public health.
Communities in the path of these dust plumes may face increased respiratory problems, allergies and diseases, highlighting the need for surveillance and global health preparedness.
Source: earth.com
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What are the positive effects of Saharan dust on the environment?

cools the Earth's atmosphere
reflects sunlight back into space

In addition to temperature changes, Saharan dust storms create hazy skies and vibrant sunsets due to increased particle scattering, altering the visual appearance of the horizon and impacting air quality.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

makes the sky hazy
lowers air quality
colorful sunsets

Cardiovascular health can also be adversely affected by Saharan dust, as smaller particles can enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and potentially triggering cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

Title:

Content: Older Barbadians being diagnosed with asthma Loop Barbados

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Head of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Respiratory Unit, Dr Dawn Alleyne, says more Barbadians are being diagnosed with asthma later in life, in their 40s and 50s.

Dr Alleyne, who is a Pulmonologist/Intensivist and Head of the Department of Medicine at the hospital, said the incidence of asthma in the Caribbean, including Barbados, had increased 17-fold since the 1970s. She added these trends are correlated with the increase in Sahara dust plumes and the frequency of the dust in the atmosphere.

She further noted that about 20 per cent of the local population had asthma. This meant the condition was quite common.

Due to climate change, dust events have been increasing. The dust, which traditionally visits from June to August, is now being seen in March or April.

The Pulmonologist/Intensivist said traditionally in Barbados, persons presented with asthma in childhood and either grew out of it as they got older, or lived with it as adults. However, this has changed.

“On a day-to-day basis when we conduct clinics, either [in my private practice] or at the hospital, I meet lots of people with severe lung diseases of all types, especially people with asthma. And several of my asthmatic patients have recorded quite clearly in their diaries that they’ve had challenges when we get the situations where we have cars covered in grey dust. Generally, those are the heavy Sahara dust days.

“A lot of the patients are now having to reach for their rescue inhalers, the Ventolin and Berotec inhalers because the asthma condition which generally has been stable, seems to deteriorate during the periods of times when we have lots of dust in the atmosphere,” Dr Alleyne stated.

The respiratory expert shared that persons usually presented with a gamut of symptoms when dust events occurred. These include itchy eyes, runny nose, soreness of the throat, coughing, especially at night, and wheezing.

Those who have chronic lung diseases, such as interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive lung disease, also complain of increase in shortness of breath on the days in which there is a heavy dust cover,” she said.

She added that people who are not asthmatics should pay close attention to symptoms, such as chest tightness, when there is exertion, allergic rhinitis, eczema, snoring at night or allergic conjunctivitis. These persons could have an increased risk of developing asthma, she stated.

Dr Alleyne noted the situation was not unique to Barbados but could be seen across the world wherever the Sahara dust is being disseminated.

“So, you look at studies from Spain, Italy, the United States, and the French Caribbean. Throughout these areas, people are reporting an increased incidence of Sahara dust plumes, increased incidence of deterioration of asthma control, and patients are being hospitalised for not only respiratory illnesses, but also cardiovascular illnesses. So, the Sahara dust situation really is one that we really need to look at, not just as a hazy day and a sunset that’s not quite clear but really the impact that it is having on health in general, and we need to take it quite seriously.”

In the case of cardiovascular diseases, she said research show that the dust seems to affect the cardiovascular system adversely.

She explained that while larger dust particles are usually deposited pretty high in a person’s airway, causing sneezing and coughing, the smaller ones had the potential to enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation, which can be a precursor to cardiovascular events.

Dr Alleyne also suggested that Barbados implement a Sahara dust warning system, much like the one that exists in Trinidad, where they give accurate accounts of the air quality index. She said it could help people with respiratory conditions prepare and protect themselves better.

“So, I’m hopeful that in the future, we’ll be able to get something that tells us these are the exact numbers and to give warnings to specific categories of people. I think that will be very helpful,” the Pulmonologist/Intensivist stated.

SOURCE: Barbados Government Information Service (GIS).

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

In San Antonio, Saharan dust storms have led to hazy skies and reduced air quality, posing health risks to individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD, prompting advisories to stay indoors during peak dust periods.

How can people protect their health during Saharan dust storms?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

To address the health impacts of Saharan dust storms, measures such as monitoring air quality, issuing public health advisories, and encouraging the use of masks and air filtration systems have been recommended to protect vulnerable populations.

Title:

Content: Dust storm from Sahara to hit Türkiye

Dust storm from Sahara to hit Türkiye

İZMİR

A massive dust storm from the Sahara Desert is expected to shroud the country, with experts warning citizens, especially those with respiratory disorders, to take precautions.

Professor Dr. Doğan Yaşar, a climate scientist, cautioned that a period of intense dust transport will begin on March 25.

"Red-colored desert dust laden with iron particles will arrive in large quantities," he explained.

"While this dust fertilizes the soil and benefits agriculture, it can also trigger allergy symptoms like dry cough and sneezing, especially for people with asthma or other lung conditions,” he said.

Yaşar emphasized the importance of wearing masks during this period. "People with lung diseases should wear a particle-retaining mask for three weeks, if possible," he advised. "Regular masks can offer some protection as well."

"A single pine tree produces 12 billion pollen. Thus, during this period, pollen multiplies very intensively in the air. When we inhale this, we experience discomfort. It is especially dangerous for people with lung diseases such as asthma," he added.

The dust storm is a natural phenomenon that occurs annually, transporting around two billion tons of dust from the Sahara to various parts of the world. The professor highlighted the ecological benefits of this dust, which acts as a natural fertilizer. However, he cautions that the concentrated dust can irritate airways and exacerbate allergies.

While the dust storm may cause temporary inconveniences, Yaşar reassured citizens that there's no need for alarm.

"The dust benefits agriculture, but it's important to be aware of the potential health risks, especially for those with respiratory problems," he concluded.

dust storms, Türkiye,

How can people protect their health during Saharan dust storms?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

Saharan dust storms pose risks to urban power grid infrastructure by reducing the efficiency of solar energy systems, as dust accumulation on solar panels can decrease their capacity by up to 80%, necessitating cleaning and maintenance.

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Research shows that dust storms coming from the Sahara Desert can severely damage solar energy production.
So, what can be done to better manage this problem?
Climate Now reports from Andalusia on efforts to beat the dust.
Announcement
On this month ’ s episode of Climate Now, we set out to southern Spain to report on the growing problem of Sahara dust, which has a significant impact on solar power generation.
Our visit to southern Spain comes as the Copernicus Climate Change Authority announced that we have seen the highest ever recorded temperature for May 2024, registering a temperature rise of 0.65 ° C above the 1991-2020 average.
This is the 12th consecutive month with the highest recorded temperature for the month in question.
In May 2024, we witnessed extreme weather conditions in many areas.
Floods in Brazil have displaced more than half a million people, temperatures in the Delhi region of India hit 49.9 degrees Celsius, its highest recorded to date, and Finland issued a heatwave warning of temperatures rising to more than 27 degrees Celsius.
In Europe, heavy rains led to flooding in southwestern Germany, Belgium, and northern Italy.
Massive losses in solar power generation due to Sahara dust
The dust of the Sahara Desert in Europe is famous for turning its skies orange, which reduces air quality and leaves a fine layer of dust on the roofs of homes and cars.
On the other hand, it causes another growing problem known as “dirty ” solar cells.
At Gianni University in Andalusia, we met with Dr. Eduardo Fernández and Professor Florencia Almonacid, who were among the authors of a recent paper that found that the severe dirt on the panels in March 2022 reduced solar capacity by up to 80 percent.
Dr Fernandez told Euronews: “It felt like we were on Mars where everything turned red. ”
March 2022 saw extreme weather, but even small amounts of dust could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching solar cells by 15%, and with the rapid growth of solar energy in Europe, losses from dirt could account for billions of euros a year.
Therefore, the research team at Jian University is using photovoltaic laboratories to find solutions.
Some scientists focus on developing dust-resistant layers, while others look at how dust accumulates with different weather conditions, such as high and low temperatures, and low rainfall.
There are many variables that need to be taken into account.
For example, dust grains may be of different sizes or colors, and can affect how well solar panel installations perform.
Even design elements make a difference, such as whether a painting is frameless or has a solid lip around its tip.
Professor Almonacid says that Sahara dust is particularly problematic: "Sahara dust particles are very fine.
It ’ s especially hard to clean. ”
The Cost and Benefit Dilemma of Solar Panel Cleaning
Renewable energy company Sonnedix faces the grime challenge every day, monitoring production from each solar power generation site and carefully calculating when cleaning PV panels is commercially feasible.
The cost of cleaning is considerable – around €400-500 per megawatt – so there are difficult choices to make depending on how the power plant is priced.
Joanne Fernandez, chief operating officer of the company, told Euronews: “As you generate electricity, every kilowatt-hour is important for the plant ’ s revenue, so this dust weather has a big impact. ”
He is now working with meteorologists to help plan cleaning sessions according to dirt weather conditions, and the amount of rainfall, as light spray may increase the soiling of the panels, and heavy rain may wash them away for free.
“Severe dust storms coming from the Sahara desert could actually lead to a significant reduction in production within the network, and this could cause a significant problem for the network operator, ” he explains.
“So forecasting, forecasting, and the ability to proactively manage the network is the most important, ” he says.
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Have dust storms from the Sahara increased due to climate change?
The recent increase in dust storms coming from the Sahara desert could be the result of natural climate variability, or it could be caused by something else.
A spokesman for the Copernicus Meteorological Authority told Euronews: “Although the arrival of dust plumes from the Sahara to Europe is not unusual, there has been an increase in the intensity and frequency of such weather conditions in recent years, and may be attributed to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. ”
There is some speculation that these changes in atmospheric air circulation patterns are linked to climate change.
Dust expert Dr. Eduardo Fernandez says: “Scientists are always cautious about drawing conclusions, and that should be the case, right? ”
“But what we ’ re seeing is that there ’ s been a dramatic increase in extreme weather conditions, not just in terms of slabs getting dirty, but also in terms of rainfall and wind blowing.
“We are recording more dust storms coming from the Sahara, and they are increasingly penetrating into larger areas in northern Europe, and there is, of course, suspicion that global warming is the cause, ” he concludes.
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What are the negative effects of Saharan dust storm on infrastructure?

The fine particles carried by Saharan dust storms can infiltrate electrical equipment, potentially causing damage or reducing the lifespan of components, especially in areas with high dust concentrations.

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Content: Europe

CAMS monitors Saharan dust transport across western and central Europe

Aerosol forecasts from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service present a big amount of Saharan mud transferring northwards throughout Europe over the following few days. CAMS continues to watch the Saharan mud transport following current forecasts that confirmed the very best values over western Europe between 15 and 17 March 2022. The CAMS forecasts additionally present degraded air high quality throughout giant components of Spain, Portugal and France associated to the Saharan mud transport.

Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) forecasts since 11 March have been exhibiting a big plume of mud with very excessive values of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and mud concentrations travelling northwards throughout the Iberian Peninsula, France and central areas of Europe between 15 and 17 March. The trajectory of this mud plume has resulted in very excessive predicted floor concentrations of PM10 as much as 250 micrograms per cubic metre, though European Environment Agency measurements have been exhibiting values in extra of this at many websites throughout Spain on 15 March. This is larger than the EU beneficial 24-hour imply threshold of fifty micrograms per cubic centimetre.

CAMS tracks all levels of mud transport from the Sahara Desert yearly and has been monitoring the annual mud transport, from completely different supply areas throughout the desert, for the reason that starting of the 12 months. CAMS forecasts are offered at each the European and global scale, and function a instrument to assist residents, companies, and policymakers make knowledgeable selections on a steady foundation with 24/7 air high quality forecast information. Air high quality is recognised as being very important to human well being as excessive concentrations of mud can have well being impacts on the respiratory programs of all individuals within the affected areas and add to particulate matter air air pollution from native sources. Senior Scientist, Mark Parrington, on the ECMWF Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service feedback: “In CAMS we use satellite and in situ observations in our air quality forecasts to be able to provide a continual and reliable source of information for monitoring air pollution events such as this. Long-range transport events such as this occur most years and the impacts of the current event is quite striking. While the dust will affect air quality in parts of southwest Europe, the larger scale impacts will be hazy skies or some surface deposition.” You can discover extra data on the CAMS monitoring of this 12 months’s Saharan mud season right here: https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/saharan-dust-heads-north-cams-tracks-its-progress-nfAdditional air high quality information will be discovered within the Atmospheric Data Store (ADS):https://ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/cdsapp#!/dataset/cams-global-atmospheric-composition-forecasts?tab=overviewandhttps://ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/cdsapp#!/dataset/cams-europe-air-quality-forecasts?tab=overview

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Dust storms can exacerbate air pollution and visibility issues, indirectly impacting power grid operations by increasing the likelihood of accidents or delays in maintenance activities.

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What is happening in Iraq in 2050?
The Middle Eastern threat no one talks about.
Category: Reports and Analysis
Date: 2022-05-30T20: 29: 58 + 0000
The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" warned of the world's disregard for the phenomenon of sand storms in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, which causes economic losses of billions of dollars, and health damage to thousands of citizens, pointing out that this phenomenon is likely to increase significantly in the coming years.
After the newspaper pointed out in a report translated by the agency Shafaq News; that the sand storms in the Middle East are ignored by the world compared to other types of natural disasters, and thus ignore the increasing impact on the health of people and the economy of the region.
The report compared the scenes of the storm in Iraq with the scenes known as in the United States, saying that you are in the midst of a winter storm in an American city, where cars are slowly moving through the streets, and their headlights light light in the middle of the day, as if crossing a layer of snow, but adds that the place is already in Baghdad amid temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, and that the streets were not covered by white snow, but orange color of sand and dust. A Air, noting that there were similar scenes recorded in Iran, eastern Syria and most of the Gulf countries.
The report noted that sandstorms usually hit Iraq during the spring months.
But he added that the storm is the tenth since the beginning of April, an average of one a week, adding that it is a phenomenon that is growing in size and severity in recent years and is expected to worsen in the coming years.
In Iraq, nearly 1,000 people have been hospitalized for respiratory problems, the government has declared a holiday to urge people to stay home, and many airports have been closed.
The report also warned that the economic and health consequences of sandstorms have not been studied in the same way as specific studies of the effects of other natural disasters.
Oxford University academic Nick Middleton, who co-authored one of the first research studies on the issue, said the costs were too high: "Dust storms can affect tens of millions of people and have an economic impact of hundreds of millions of dollars."
Middleton said the link between health problems and sandstorms was not always clear, but it could be "enormous", adding: "There are strong links between dusty days, respiratory problems and some heart disease."
But one of the few estimates available on the economic costs of dust storms, from the World Bank, reported in 2019, is that the global cost of dust and sand storms increased by 63% between 1990 and 2013 to reach $3.6 trillion.
In the Middle East and North Africa, it increased by 123% to $141 billion.
This estimate reflects losses to the economy as a result of premature deaths due to excessive exposure to dust.
Since 2013, it has suffered an estimated 10,400 premature deaths from dust, costing the economy $15 billion, or 2.9% of GDP.
Among the direct costs are losses due to closed airports, crop losses and production disruptions, as well as government holidays, estimated by the World Bank at about $13 billion, which means that the total cost of losses in the Middle East and North Africa region from sandstorms exceeds $150 billion annually.
Orange Warning
The Iraqi Ministry of Environment monitored 122 dust storms and 283 dusty days during 2013 alone, but an official at the Ministry of Environment warned last month that Iraq may suffer 272 days of sand storms as an annual average over the next two decades, which could increase to more than 300 days by 2050.
In his paper, titled “The Comprehensive Causes and Socio-Economic Consequences of a Sharp Dust Storm in the Middle East, ” Middleton documented the fallout from a particularly large sandstorm in early April 2015 that hit an area of 10 million square kilometers, including Iraq, Iran and the Gulf, stretching east as far as India and the Red Sea to the west.
The storm forced officials to close schools in Qatar and parts of Saudi Arabia that had been declared a holiday for workers, Saudi and Iranian ports disrupted operations, and forced airports in seven countries to delay, reroute or cancel flights.
Open space construction has also stopped in the UAE, and Abu Dhabi cancelled the Desert Challenge because visibility was almost zero, and even solar plants stopped working due to the accumulation of too much dust on the panels.
According to the study, traffic accidents have increased in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, and cases of respiratory patients in hospitals have increased.
Israel is not immune to dust storms, though it does not suffer from any of the same severe pattern as Iraq and other neighboring countries.
The report pointed out that the phenomenon of climate change is responsible for the increase of these extreme weather events, but experts say that climate change is only one of the factors, but it will have a greater impact in the coming years because it causes increased desertification and more severe drought, pointing out that the sources of dust and sand storms are mainly due to natural and not man-made factors, but these factors are exacerbated by human activity.
Poor land management makes the soil unprotected after the harvest season, and wars have caused farmers to abandon their fields, creating large tracts of land where the wind can easily carry dust.
Population growth and urban sprawl are also reducing areas that previously contained plants that protected the soil.
In addition, large bodies of water have been affected by drought, such as the Aral Sea between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and Lake Urmia in Iran, once the largest lake in the Middle East.
Dam construction projects have also drained rivers and reduced water flows to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, with Saddam Hussein even playing a role in draining the marshes in the south.
Some scientists also believe that La Niña weather phenomenon may have contributed to the recent spike in dust storms in the Middle East.
Panfsha Kenoush, a researcher at the Middle East Institute in Washington, questioned whether Middle East governments were willing to make a major effort to address the problem, explaining that "sand and dust storms are often seen in the Gulf region as largely uncontrollable natural phenomena."
Some measures have been taken by governments in the region, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledging to plant 10 billion trees in Saudi Arabia and an additional 40 billion in the region to combat sandstorms and desertification.
In 2016, an institute in the UAE launched a dust storm forecasting system that countries in the region can use to prepare for major storms.
But Middleton admits that even if governments work together, fighting sandstorms will not be easy, but he added that they could at least mitigate their effects and address the local factors that make sandstorms worse.
Translated by: Shafaq News
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How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

Saharan dust storms significantly reduce visibility in urban areas, posing risks to traffic safety and public health due to increased air pollution and respiratory hazards.

Title:

Content: Recently, Athens and other parts of Greece were hit by a sandstorm from the Sahara desert, the sky was orange and seemed to be in a different world, as many people watched the spectacle outside, while authorities issued a respiratory risk warning.
According to foreign news reports such as the Guardian and CNN, Greece was hit by a sandstorm in the Sahara Desert between the end of March and the beginning of April this year, affecting even Switzerland and southern France.
Unexpectedly, the Sahara dust storm hit Greece again on the 23rd, and the National Observatory of Athens said: “This is the most severe dust concentration in the Sahara since March 21-22, 2018. ”
Authorities have warned that sand and dust can block sunlight and obstruct visibility, while the concentration of small pollution particles in the air can increase, which may have adverse effects on the human body.
From the picture, the Athens sky is darkened by dust from the Sahara, and the city seems to be covered in a dark orange curtain, but this does not frighten the locals, who are instead strolling outside to enjoy the strange scenery.
Greek meteorologist Kostas Lagouvardos said in a Facebook post that Athens looked like a “colony of Mars. ”
In fact, 60 to 200 million tonnes (60 to 200 m tonnes) of dust is raised in the Sahara every year. While the largest particles fall back to the surface quickly, the smallest particles can travel thousands of kilometres and may even spread across Europe.
Athens turns orange, Helsinki goes white as Europe's weather springs a surprise
Athens swallowed up by orange haze from Sahara dust storm
# Dust Storm # Greece # Athens # Sahara # Observatory

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative effects of Saharan dust storm on infrastructure?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

Authorities in Spain have implemented mitigation strategies such as advising residents to wear masks, avoid outdoor activities, and limit exposure to dust during storms, which could serve as a model for cities like San Antonio.

Title:

Content: France
Dust storms come from the Sahara Desert, and the sky turns yellow in France and Spain.
Dust storms from the Sahara Desert continue to sweep Europe on Wednesday, March 16.
In parts of Spain, the skies turned orange and people had difficulty breathing. Cleaners in France and Portugal worked overtime to remove dust from cars and buildings.
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The European Union ’ s Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Agency said on March 16 that it was tracking large amounts of dust that “caused air quality to decline in most parts of Spain, Portugal and France. ”
First up is Spain.
Spain ’ s air quality has been rated as “extremely unfavorable ” by the country ’ s authorities for this dust storm.
The dust storm, which began on Tuesday, has now spread to much of southern and central Spain, including Madrid and other major cities, and Seville has not been spared.
Where it rains, dust and rain mix into mud.
The Spanish government advises people to wear masks and avoid outdoor sports, especially those with respiratory diseases, and to avoid the impact of sand and dust.
Rubender-Campo, a spokesman for the Spanish Meteorological Agency, said that on Wednesday afternoon, the air dust concentration in southeastern and central Spain will reach the peak of the dust storm.
After that, the air quality will gradually improve, but some dust will still drift to Gran Canaria this weekend.
For now, the sky in Madrid is still a dirty gray yellow, and visibility has been reduced in most parts of Spain.
And on social media, there are strange photos of dust storms, including the mountains near Madrid, with red in the snow.
Spain ’ s National Weather Service said the dust particles could travel all the way to the west of the Netherlands and Germany.
However, while the dust storm caused a lot of inconvenience, it also predicts that the front-line air currents that pull the storm will bring more rain to Spain ’ s dry fields and declining reservoirs in the next few days, which is good news for farmers.
In France, the dust storm crossed the Pyrenees Mountains and passed through western France on Tuesday, causing noticeable anomalies in Bordeaux and La Rochelle before continuing northward.
The storm should continue until Thursday, the French weather agency said, as the dust was "blocked by anti-cyclones over Greece, but will gradually subside."
This phenomenon is no exception, but “is more striking because of its geographical scope and longer duration ”.

How can people protect their health during Saharan dust storms?

How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service provides continuous air quality forecasts to track Saharan dust transport, enabling policymakers and residents to make informed decisions to mitigate its impacts on visibility and health.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative effects of Saharan dust storm on infrastructure?

Saharan dust storms positively impact the environment in the Americas by delivering nutrient-rich particles, such as phosphorus, which fertilize ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest and the Caribbean Sea.

What are the positive effects of Saharan dust on the environment?

carries microorganisms and nutrients that act as fertilizer

delivers essential minerals for phytoplankton

The dust also benefits oceanic ecosystems by providing essential minerals that stimulate phytoplankton growth, supporting fish populations and influencing global marine productivity.

What are the positive effects of Saharan dust on the environment?

carries microorganisms and nutrients that act as fertilizer

delivers essential minerals for phytoplankton

Additionally, Saharan dust storms suppress hurricane development in the Atlantic by introducing dry air that reduces moisture availability, thereby limiting the formation and intensity of tropical cyclones.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

Regions of the Americas most frequently impacted by Saharan dust storms include the Caribbean, Gulf Coast states such as Texas and Florida, and parts of Central America, as these areas lie along the transatlantic path of dust plumes.

Title:

Content: Havana, Cuba.- Cubans are entering the final days of July with a forecast of high temperatures, accompanied by little rain throughout the national territory.

In recent days, the heat punished the inhabitants of the Caribbean island, where through the Institute of Meteorology it was learned that in 38 of the 68 stations subordinate to the scientific entity, temperatures above 34 Celsius degrees were reported.

Meanwhile, the nightly broadcast of the National Television Newscast specified that in the eastern territory of Granma 39°C were registered on Saturday.

Behind it, the most overwhelmed towns were Colón in the western province of Matanzas with 37.2 °C; and Bainoa, in the also western province of Mayabeque, with 36.5 °C; while in the capital the thermometers marked 36 °C.

Days prior to the establishment of these temperature records for the current month, the Institute of Meteorology warned about the arrival of a cloud of dust from the Sahara on the island.

The experts explained that this phenomenon would cause a new decrease in rainfall and would maintain the feeling of great heat.

These clouds contain iron, silica, fungi, bacteria, viruses, various pathogenic mites, among other elements. They can cause acute respiratory diseases, allergies and skin problems.

Dust from the Sahara affects coral reefs, and fruit, rice, sugar cane, bean and other crops. It is caused by storms that occurred in the Sahara desert, coming out of the African continent.

It moves over the freshest and most humid marine air, and joining the flow of the trade winds, it quickly reaches the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

Common weather patterns associated with Saharan dust storms include reduced rainfall, increased temperatures, and hazy skies, as the dry air and dust particles suppress cloud formation and thunderstorm activity.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

makes the sky hazy
reduces storms
increases temperature
lowers rain chances

City planners should issue public health advisories emphasizing the risks of respiratory issues, allergies, and potential exposure to pathogens carried by Saharan dust storms.

How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

implement a warning system
public awareness & education

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

Infrastructure protection measures should include ensuring the readiness of drainage systems and cleaning dust-prone areas to prevent blockages, as proactive maintenance can mitigate environmental impacts.

Title:

Content: EconomyFeatured MaterialAsir Region
Eastern Axis Municipalities in Amana Aseer Measure their Readiness for the Rainy Season with an Experimental Hypothesis
Areas _ Asir
Under the guidance of the Secretary of the Asir Region, Eng. Abdullah Al-Jali, the north-east axis of the Municipality of Asir implemented a hypothetical plan on Wednesday morning. The plan included the intervention of the Secretary of the region Eng. Abdullah Al-Jali, who discussed the implementation of the plan and discussed the mechanisms of its work on the ground. It results from accidents and water pools.
Therefore, municipalities always seek to control the mechanisms to deal with the problems that may result from rainfall through a comprehensive plan to distribute field teams, water withdrawal equipment and follow up the rain water drainage networks, in addition to the importance of training municipal employees on the use of safety means, ensuring the safety of electrical connections in parks and public facilities, as well as ensuring the readiness of mechanisms and human cadres, quick response and direct field cases quickly and effective coordination.
In the same context, the hypothesis plan was implemented at King Abdullah South Park in Bisha through a scenario that includes achieving several objectives, the most important of which is the readiness of municipalities for severe rainy situations and the readiness of mechanisms and human cadres in cooperation with other authorities to implement fire, rescue and evacuation plans.
Therefore, a room was allocated for operations in Bisha municipality in the presence of the governor of Bisha and a number of managers of the relevant government agencies, where everyone was briefed on the progress of the hypothesis and transmitted it through a visual communication with the Secretary and the mayors, through which the organizers discussed the mechanisms of early preparation for rain cases and the readiness of equipment and mechanisms and field implementation plans.
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Coordination with emergency services and public safety agencies is essential, as demonstrated by Sharjah Police's approach to distributing traffic patrols and issuing safety guidelines during adverse weather conditions.

Title:

Content: Sharjah Police: A package of immediate measures to deal with the wave of rain
The General Command of Sharjah Police has confirmed the readiness of its security elements around the clock to deal with the wave of rain, which is currently witnessed in the country, calling on all members of the public to adopt security guidelines and directives in order to maintain public safety.
The General Command of Sharjah Police has taken a package of immediate measures to distribute traffic patrols on the internal and external roads in accordance with the requirements of the weather situation and coordinate with strategic partners in enhancing traffic safety on the roads.
Sharjah Police called on members of the public to deal with the weather conditions with the utmost responsibility and to exercise the utmost caution and caution, to stay away from the places of running valleys, floods and water collection, and to leave a sufficient distance between vehicles, and not to engage in other than the road to avoid accidents, calling for immediate reporting of any accidents through the emergency number 999.
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How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

Meteorologists forecast Saharan dust storms using satellite measurements and models like the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which track aerosol optical depth and dust concentrations to predict transport patterns and air quality impacts.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

Tools such as NOAA’s Saharan Air Layer (SAL) forecast and NASA’s atmospheric tomography missions provide detailed insights into the movement and intensity of dust plumes, enabling predictions of their effects on weather systems.

Advanced instruments like single-particle mass spectrometers are deployed during aerial sampling missions to analyze the chemical composition of dust particles, helping to understand their role in atmospheric processes.

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Arguments of the Week Society → Nature 13 +
Air-drip study reveals a surprisingly large role of desert dust in the formation of cirrus clouds
, 2: 45 pm
Each year, several billion metric tons of mineral dust are released into the atmosphere from arid regions of the world, making dust one of the most common types of aerosol particles in the atmosphere.
Now, scientists are learning that tiny bits of dust from the hottest and driest parts of the Earth are a surprisingly big driver in the formation of thin ice clouds known as cirrus clouds in the cold, high-altitude atmospheres.
Although scientists know that desert dust particles can sow certain clouds, the extent of this relationship has been a long-standing question.
A new study, based on the largest aerial sampling mission in history, sheds light on the role of dust in the climate system.
"The dust-initiated cirrus clouds are remarkably numerous, accounting for 34 to 71 percent of all cirrus clouds outside the tropics," explained lead author Carl Froyd, a CIRES scientist at NOAA's Laboratory of Chemical Sciences.
“Perhaps even more surprising, we found that while the Sahara Desert is by far the world ’ s largest source of dust emissions, deserts in Central Asia are often more important sources of cirrus cloud formation. ”
Analysis of atmospheric measurements collected over distant oceans during NASA ’ s three-year atmospheric tomography (ATom) mission shows that dust plays a dominant role in the formation of cirrus clouds in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and that some deserts are far more efficient than others when it comes to creating clouds.
To investigate the role of wind-blown dust in creating cirrus clouds, Froyd and colleagues deployed a purpose-built single-particle mass spectrometer, known as PALMS, on NASA ’ s DC-8 research aircraft during the ATom project to measure the chemical composition of aerosol particles in a distant atmosphere.
ATom flights circled the globe four times between 2016 and 2018, flying long transects down the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and across the Arctic and Southern Oceans.
During the flight, the PALMS instrument continuously absorbed atmospheric particles, one by one, using a laser to evaporate each of them into their individual components before they were sent to a mass spectrometer to detect their chemical signatures.
Mineral dust is just one of the many types of aerosols that this powerful tool is able to identify.
The researchers encountered continental dust at almost every altitude and latitude selected by the aircraft, including over the Southern Ocean, the distant Pacific Ocean, and Antarctica.
The dust levels present in the cirrus formations of the upper troposphere were quite low, far below what could be observed by the satellite, but were ubiquitous.
Even at low concentrations, dust has been found to play a large role in controlling cloud properties.
Despite the small amounts of dust aerosols measured in the upper troposphere, dust is still common enough to stimulate cirrus cloud formation throughout all seasons outside the tropics, including the Southern Hemisphere.
The simulation results also showed that the meteorological environment along the winds of desert regions was more important for the formation of cirrus than just the amount of dust emitted.
The Sahara Desert, for example, accounts for 60% of global dust emissions, but only a small fraction of that dust is transported vertically to the cold temperatures of the upper troposphere, where it can sow tiny ice crystals that make up cirrus clouds.
In contrast, dry convection and the Asian summer monsoon help lift dust from Central Asia more efficiently.
The ability to properly model the abundance of dust and the formation of ribbed cirrus formations in the models is important for understanding the role of cirrus clouds in climate.
Clouds strongly influence the balance of solar radiation, which regulates surface temperature, but clouds and cloud formation remain a poorly understood aspect of the climate system.
Unlike the plump white clouds we see at lower altitudes that reflect sunlight, high-altitude cirrus clouds have a net warming effect on our climate, trapping heat that would otherwise escape into space.
The surprisingly large role of mineral dust in controlling the formation of cirrus compounds on a global scale establishes the critical role of dust in the Earth's climate system.
“With climate change, deserts are changing around the world, and dust emissions are changing with them.
These new findings help to focus our attention on the most important deserts in terms of formation of cirrus compounds, ” added Froyd.
"These results are a startling message to the aerosol and cloud science community that we need to improve our dust handling and cloud formation in climate models to more accurately predict current and future climate."
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In Barbados, the implementation of a Sahara dust warning system similar to Trinidad's air quality index has been suggested to help individuals with respiratory conditions prepare and protect themselves during dust events.

How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides continuous air quality forecasts to track Saharan dust transport, enabling policymakers and residents to make informed decisions to reduce exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

Recent studies have highlighted the economic impacts of Saharan dust storms, particularly in urban areas of the Americas, where they disrupt air quality, public health, and infrastructure such as airports and transportation systems.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

In Houston, Texas, Saharan dust storms have been linked to increased respiratory issues and allergies, as well as disruptions in visibility and air quality, underscoring the need for urban preparedness and health monitoring systems.

How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative effects of Saharan dust storm on infrastructure?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

Saharan dust interacts with local pollutants in urban areas by contributing to elevated levels of particulate matter, such as PM10 and PM2.5, which can exacerbate air pollution and respiratory health issues.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

Public communication strategies have effectively educated citizens about Saharan dust storms by leveraging air quality monitoring systems, such as the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which provides real-time forecasts and alerts.

How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

implement a warning system
public awareness & education

Cities can deploy advanced air quality monitoring systems, such as those equipped with automatic stations to measure particulate matter and visibility, to track the concentration and movement of Saharan dust storms.

Title:

Content: United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification: Current Issues and Solutions
© Sputnik / Elina Beknazarova21st session of the Conference on the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention CRIC-21 in Samarkand.
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The participants of the conference held in Samarkand discussed the work carried out to neutralize land degradation, combat dust storms, and also made reports.
TASHKENT, Nov 18 — Sputnik.
The 21st session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention on Desertification (CRIC-21) has ended in Samarkand.
It was held from 13 to 17 November and brought together participants from more than 196 countries.
The CRIC-21 session was opened by its chairman Bilyana Kalibarda, the head of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbayeva, as well as the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov.
© Elina BeknazarovaFirst meeting of the 21st session of the CRIC of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
First meeting of the 21st session of the CRIC of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
How has the area of protected natural areas of Uzbekistan changed, is it possible to stop land degradation and what trees were planted in the new arboretum in the Samarkand region - in the material Sputnik Uzbekistan.
Joining forces
Uzbekistan was the first country in the Central Asian region and the CIS to ratify the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1995.
And in 2023, the republic hosted the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention for the first time.
Speaking to the participants in Samarkand, the chairman of the session Bilyana Kalibarda noted that the agenda of this forum, aimed at mitigating the effects of land degradation and protecting land for providing humanity with food, water, housing and economic opportunities, requires the full commitment of countries and active work.
© Sputnik / Elina BeknazarovaBilyana Kalibarda (left)
Biljana Kalibarda (left)
“We should not forget that the work that we are starting here should be continued in the participating countries, ” Kalibarda said.
Thus, according to the UNCCD, the area of   fertile land on the planet, lost since 2015, is equivalent to the area of   the whole of Central Asia.
Every year, about 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land are lost in the world.
With this trend, in order to achieve a neutral level of land degradation in the world, it is necessary to restore 1.5 billion hectares by 2030.
At the same time, the Chairperson of the session noted the importance of the united work of each country in combating desertification.
So, according to Bilyana Kalibarda, it is possible to achieve tangible results only by combining efforts.
A good example of how closely the countries of Central Asia are connected was given by Aziz Abdukhakimov.
© Sputnik / Elina BeknazarovaAziz Abdukhakimov
Aziz Abdukhakimov
“A few months ago, I was in Kazakhstan and witnessed a dust storm.
Upon returning to Uzbekistan, this dust storm was already in Tashkent and spread to neighboring countries.
This shows that Central Asia is one ecosystem, and only by combining our efforts and collectively solving environmental problems, we will be able to achieve some tangible results, ” said Abdukhakimov.
The minister also noted the fact that Uzbeks have traditionally been engaged in agriculture for centuries.
Land as a source of livelihood has been and remains an important resource.
Therefore, the threats associated with its degradation and desertification of previously green areas signal the need for concrete actions that Uzbekistan has been taking for 6 years.
Experience of Uzbekistan
Special attention during the meeting was paid to the national project "Yashil Macon".
It was launched in 2021 on the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The main goal of the project is to increase the area of   green spaces in the cities of the republic to 30% by 2030.
Thus, speaking at the session, Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that since the launch of the initiative, more than 416 million trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the country.
Green areas are divided into 588 hectares, and green public areas are created on 662 hectares.
In addition, planted "green belts" with a length of 40 km around the most vulnerable cities, such as Bukhara, Nukus, Khiva and Urgench.
Subsequently, the area of protected areas also increased from 4% in 2016 to 14% in 2023.
The participants of the session also contributed to the greening.
They laid a new arboretum in the Samarkand region.
© Sputnik / Elina BeknazarovaA dendropark was created in Samarkand region
Dendropark was created in Samarkand region
© Sputnik / Elina BeknazarovaA dendropark was created in Samarkand region
Dendropark was created in Samarkand region
More than 1 thousand seedlings of 10 species of trees were planted: Japanese Sophora, catalpa, alder and ash.
It was named "Green Park CRIC-21".
In addition, 85 million seedlings are planned to be planted in kindergartens, schools, universities, hospitals and forests as part of the autumn tree planting season, which began in October.
Dust storms
Dust storms that affect more than 150 countries around the world have not been ignored.
© UzbmeteoDust storm in Termez.
Archive photo
Dust storm in Termez.
Archive photo
Including the problem of the Aral Sea - directly affecting the appearance of dust particles and sand salts in the air.
© Sputnik / Dilshoda RakhmatovThe dried bottom of the Aral Sea
The dried bottom of the Aral Sea
According to the Director of the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea under the Ministry of Ecology Bakhitzhan Khabibullayev, today more than 1 million 700 thousand hectares of land have been planted with saxaul on the territory of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea.
In the future, it is planned to plant 200 thousand hectares of land annually.
© archive of Zinoviy Novitsky At the bottom of the Aral Sea, more than 100 thousand hectares of land were landscaped.
Archive photo
At the bottom of the Aral Sea, more than 100 thousand hectares of land have been landscaped.
Archive photo
At the same time, the air pollution monitoring system plays an important role in the fight against dust storms.
“According to studies, Central Asia and China occupy the second place on a global scale (after the Sahara Desert) in the emission of dust into the atmosphere about 20% of the total amount, ” said Bakhriddin Nishonov, head of the surface water quality research laboratory of the Institute of Hydrometeorology.
For example, in Uzbekistan, the hydrometeorological network is equipped with automatic air pollution monitoring stations to monitor the visibility range and concentration of dust and fine particulate matter.
Cooperation
Topical issues and cooperation in the field of ecology were also discussed at meetings held by Aziz Abdukhakimov.
In particular, the Minister spoke with ECO Secretary General Hussein Avni Bichakli.
He made a proposal to establish relations between the scientific community in the field of ecology of the ECO countries on the basis of the Central Asian University for the Study of Environment and Climate Change (Green University).
In addition, they discussed the possibility of implementing the principles of sustainable energy and environment in Central Asia jointly with Green University and the Clean Energy Center in Baku.
With the Director of the Water Resources and Urban Development Sector of ADB, Norio Saito, issues of solid household waste management in Uzbekistan were discussed.
It was about the interaction of the republic with leading Japanese companies in the field of waste management, attracting investments in the industry from the Asian Development Bank, the allocation of grants, advanced training of employees of the Ministry of Ecology and subordinate organizations.
© Ministry of Ecology of UzbekistanAziz Abdukhakimov met with Norio Saito, Senior Director of Water Resources and Urban Development Sector of the Asian Development Bank.
Aziz Abdukhakimov met with Norio Saito, Senior Director of the Water and Urban Development Sector of the Asian Development Bank.
Norio Saito proposed to start in Uzbekistan the implementation of the second stage of the project "Sustainable management of solid household waste" for 2025-2026.
The guest also highly appreciated the work carried out in Uzbekistan in the field of ecology, environmental protection, drought and hunger, noting that ADB is ready to continue cooperation in this direction.
Gender equality
The plenary session discussed the role of women in combating desertification and drought, as well as the issue of gender equality in the use of land resources.
“According to statistics, today women make up the majority of those who are engaged in hard labor on earth.
At the same time, they own a smaller part of the earth ’ s resources, ” said Ksenia Sklenlon, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
© Sputnik / Elina BeknazarovaKsenia Sklenlon during the speech at the 21st session of the Conference on the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention CRIC-21 in Samarkand
Ksenia Sklenlon during her speech at the 21st session of the Conference on the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention CRIC-21 in Samarkand
So, according to Sklenlon, gender inequality prevents women from using resources freely and fully.
Unequal property rights to land and financial services are also a barrier.
According to Adolat Orinova, head of the Laboratory for the Conservation of Biological Diversity at the Research Institute of Technology, more than 30% of women in Uzbekistan work in the sector of solving environmental problems.
© Sputnik / Elina BeknazarovaHead of the Laboratory for the Conservation of Biological Diversity of the Research Institute of Technology Adolat Orinova (right)
Head of the Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation at the Research Institute of Technologies Adolat Orinova (right)
“Today, the influence of women is in the first place not only in the public, but also in the private sector.
As a woman who conducts her activities in the scientific field, I can say that now in our institute more and more women are engaged in solving environmental problems.
And I am in favor of increasing the number of women scientists in the field of ecology and the environment, ” concluded Adolat Orinova.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on ensuring gender equality in solving environmental problems and strengthening cooperation between the participating countries of the 21st session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention on Desertification.
© Sputnik / Elina Beknazarova21st session of the Conference on the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention CRIC-21 in Samarkand.
21st Session of the Conference on Review of Implementation of the UN Convention CRIC-21 in Samarkand.
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Title:

Content: Dust storms.
sources and danger.
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At the beginning of this year's spring season, the incidence of dust storms increased significantly.
Their frequency varies from year to year, but generally increases in the transitional periods between seasons, especially spring and autumn, for many reasons, some natural and others of a human nature, that is, by man.
Dust storms are fast winds that transport dust and plankton, causing a lack of visibility at short distances.
Despite the great controversy over the causes of dust or dust storms and the fact that the camel bears full responsibility for their occurrence, as stated in one of the videos circulated on social media, the reasons are not limited to the poor camel alone, even if it is one of the reasons!
The causes of dust storms are many, including: (1) Desertification as a result of drought resulting from low rainfall.
(2) Desertification due to human activities associated with overgrazing as a result of increasing numbers of camels and sheep on pasture capacity.
(3) Extensive agricultural activities, especially ploughing the land and leaving it exposed for long periods.
(4) Soil movement as a result of development and military actions and absurd car tracks in deserts that led to the breaking and dismantling of the soil and the destruction of vegetation cover.
(5) The reduction of the surface groundwater table, which led to the drying of the soil and thus the impact on the vegetation cover.
Globally, sub-Saharan Africa is the main contributor to Earth ’ s dust storms, which travel to the Americas via the Atlantic Ocean via tropical east winds.
But the Fertile Crescent has also become a source of dust, due to the halving of agricultural production as a result of climate change.
Iraq is one of the sources of dust storms as a result of the decline of the level of rivers, which led to the drought of the marshes and lakes in Iraq and Iran, and add to the list of sources open deserts of the Kingdom, which suffer environmental degradation as a result of human tampering of unfair grazing and wood and the like.
Dust storms are one of the factors responsible for increased allergic reactions, asthma attacks and chronic breathing problems, as well as blood vessels and heart disease.
Dust storms are also carriers of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, germs and viruses that cause certain diseases.
Besides, dust storms have economic effects, they adversely affect agricultural production by transporting agricultural pests, reducing photosynthetic activity, destroying crops, as well as affecting infrastructure, by reducing visibility, disrupting energy and air and road transport systems, burying railways, as well as contributing to the deterioration of the performance of solar panels, as well as damaging residential property.
There is no doubt that dust storms and their increased frequency are a warning sign that requires a rapid response through a review of environmental regulations, the need to raise the environmental awareness of the population, the organization of grazing seasons based on the identification of the pastoral capacity of each region, as well as innovative solutions to mitigate desertification that benefit from tremendous technical progress.
Finally, it follows from the above that the problem is not country-specific, but a regional problem that requires concerted efforts.
The Green Middle East initiative by Prince Mohammed bin Salman is designed to design innovative solutions to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability through a number of projects, including: planting 50 billion trees across the Middle East region and reclaiming 200 million hectares of degraded land through afforestation, which contributes to a 2.5 per cent reduction in global carbon emissions.
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What are the negative effects of Saharan dust storm on infrastructure?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

The dust particles can settle on solar panels, significantly reducing their efficiency, which may impact the city's power grid by lowering renewable energy output during dust events.

What are the negative effects of Saharan dust storm on infrastructure?

Additionally, the dust can carry harmful microorganisms and pollutants, which may exacerbate respiratory health issues among residents and strain healthcare systems, further highlighting vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure.

How can the authorities prepare for a Saharan dust storm?

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

Saharan dust storms can introduce harmful bacteria, fungi, and pollutants into urban water sources, potentially complicating water treatment processes and posing risks to public health.

In Europe, Saharan dust storms have been shown to mix with rain, forming mud that can clog drainage systems and increase the burden on water treatment facilities.

Future urban planning in affected areas like San Antonio should incorporate strategies such as improved air quality monitoring, public health preparedness, and infrastructure adaptations to mitigate the adverse effects of increasingly frequent and severe dust storms.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?