WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin No. 9 – July 2025
- Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million in 150 countries
- Airborne Dust Bulletin shows increasing economic disruption and health impacts
- Poor land and water management and drought play major role
- WMO strengthens monitoring, forecasting and early warnings
The WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin No. 9 – July 2025 warns that sand and dust storms are taking an increasing toll on human health, economies, and ecosystems—affecting around 330 million people in over 150 countries.
The report highlights global hotspots and growing risks, underscoring the urgent need for improved monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems. As part of the World Meteorological Organization’s suite of scientific products, the bulletin aims to inform policy, enhance public safety, and support more resilient communities worldwide.
Although the global average of annual mean dust surface concentrations in 2024 was slightly lower than in 2023, there were big regional variations. In the most affected areas, the surface dust concentration in 2024 was higher than the long-term 1981-2010 average.
Every year, around 2,000 million tons of sand and dust enters the atmosphere - equivalent to 307 Great Pyramids of Giza. More than 80% of the global dust budget originates from the North African and Middle Eastern deserts and can be transported for hundreds and even thousands of kilometers, across continents and oceans.
Much of this is a natural process, but poor water and land management, drought and environmental degradation are increasingly to blame.
The WMO Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System coordinates international sand and dust research and has operational regional centres.
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About the WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin series
The annual WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin reports on the incidence and hazards of sand and dust storms, which have a major impact on air quality, health, the environment, agriculture and economies.
Every year, around 2,000 million tons of dust enters the atmosphere and can be transported for hundreds of kilometers. Much of this is a natural process, but a large part of it is the result of poor water and land management.
Forecasts have improved greatly thanks to the WMO Global Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System, which coordinates international sand and dust research and has operational regional centres.
