Public information on sand and dust storms

Dust storms and health

Find out more about health risks of windblown dust, particularly its impact on respiratory health and what to do during a dust storm. 

Source: Windblown Dust and Dust storms & your health - Department of Ecology, Washington State, ecology.wa.gov. 

WMO Airborne Dust Bulletins

The World Meteorological Organization publishes anually a report on the incidence and hazards of sand and dust storms, which have a major impact on air quality, health, the environment, agriculture and economies.

The latest Airborne Dust Bulletin can be found here: WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin No. 8 – July 2024.

Operational forecasts of Icelandic dust

Iceland has several SDS source locations with dust storms occurring across all months of the year. Operational forecasts of near surface dust for Iceland are available for a 72 hr. period at three hour increments from dustforecast.lbhi.is. The forecasts can be useful in avoiding dust events while traveling by road and planning visits within the country.