Sand and Dust Storm - Warning Advisory and Assessment System

Comunicación presentada en: International Workshop on Sand and Dust Storms "Dust Sources and their Impacts in the Middle East", celebrado en Estambul del 23 al 25 de octubre de 2017Given the important impacts of airborne dust on human health, the environment and diverse socio-economic sectors, in 2007, the World Meteorological Organization endorsed the launching of the Sand and Dust Storm - Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS) with the mission to enhance the ability of countries to deliver timely and high-quality sand and dust storm forecasts, observations, information and knowledge to users. This paper describes SDS-WAS' mission, organization and objectives, highlights its transition from R&D to operational forecast services and postulates the implementation of future dust early warning systems