Projects & Research

Research is an essential component of the WMO SDS-WAS programme.
The SDS-WAS implementation plan recognizes that for success in the long term, it is important to establish a mix of research and operational activities with a strong dialog and link to capacity building.  This implementation plan considers the following research foci as a priority for further development of the SDS-WAS:

• Improved dust source specification and parameterization
• Influence of local and mesoscale atmospheric processes on dust storm generation
• Advanced methods in observing the SDS, including surface-based, aircraft and satellite methods
• 4-D assimilation of dust-related observations
• Inclusion of direct and indirect radiative forcing effects of dust in atmospheric weather and climate models
• The role of dust as ice nuclei affecting storm development and precipitation
• Dust impact on high impact hydrometeorological and environmental phenomena (e.g. monsoons, tropical cyclones, mesoscale convective complexes, flooding and droughts)
• Developing ensemble systems for SDS prediction
• Dust and health issues (e.g. meningitis, valley fever, asthma, etc)
• Dust as a transmitter of disease and contaminants
• Photochemical effects of dust and its impact on atmospheric ozone and other oxidants
• Impact of dust on marine productivity
• SDS reanalysis studies producing dust climatologies
• SDS model validation and model intercomparisons