Airborne dust: from R and D to operational forecast. 2013-2015 Activity Report of the SDS-WAS Regional Center for Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe

Abstract

The 17th World Meteorological Congress designated the consortium of AEMET and Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) to host the first WMO Regional Meteorological Center specialized on Atmospheric Sand and Dust Forecast. The new center operationally generates and distributes dust forecasts under the name of Barcelona Dust Forecast Center. This decision recognizes the research activities and the products implemented by AEMET and BSC as a valuable contribution to the WMO Sand and Dust Storm – Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS). The services provided by the Barcelona Dust Forecast Center allow for the development of strategies to minimize the severe impacts caused by atmospheric dust on lives and property in Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe. This report summarizes the activities of the SDS-WAS Regional Center for Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe for 2013-2015 and shows the great success of the SDS-WAS project.