Geneva, Switzerland (WMO) - Some parts of the world, including China and the US-Mexican border, experienced record- breaking sand and dust storms in 2025, impacting health and the environment and disrupting economic activities and transport. However, overall average dust concentrations were similar to 2024, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin provides scientific insights to inform policymaking and to improve public safety and well-being. It examines hotspots and reviews advances in research, forecasts and warnings. The 2026 bulletin - the tenth in the annual series - discusses the potential of Artificial Intelligence and satellite technology to improve monitoring and warnings of dust sources and storms.
Every year, around 2,000 million tons of dust enters the atmosphere and can be transported for hundreds of kilometers and even thousands of kilometers, across continents and oceans. The most significant dust sources globally are concentrated in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly major deserts such as the Sahara in Africa, the Gobi in Asia, and the Arabian Desert in the Middle East.
Much of this is a natural process, but poor water and land management, drought and environmental degradation are increasingly to blame. It is a major hazard which affects more than 150 countries worldwide.
"Sand and dust storms affect air quality and human health. They reduce agricultural productivity, disrupt transport and aviation, strain water and energy systems, and damage ecosystems. No country is immune to their impacts," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
"Because sand and dust storms and droughts do not respect borders, international cooperation is essential. Strengthening shared observations, data exchange, and regional forecasting capacity allows all countries - especially the most vulnerable - to benefit from advances in science and early warning," she said in a message at an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 10 July, ahead of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms on 12 July.
Through the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System initiative , WMO brings together countries and scientific centres to improve observations, advance dust forecasting, and provide operational early warning services. Great progress has been made - especially through regional collaboration - but more needs to be done.
