Since the 1990s, Chinese scientists have carried out extensive research on dust storms and developed several forecasting systems. But challenges remain. Scientists want to more accurately predict when and where dust is being picked up, how much of it is being picked up and how the dust load changes. Current systems still sometimes make errors.
Researchers in the region have been applying artificial intelligence (AI) and climate modelling to better predict this annual phenomenon. Better prediction could save tens of millions of yuan each year. In the first quarter of 2021 alone, dust storms caused losses worth more than 30 million yuan (US$4.15 million) in northern China, including damages to farms and houses.
A dust storm occurs when strong winds sweep across dry areas, such as deserts, picking up dust particles from the ground and lifting them into the air, sometimes to as high as 1,500 metres.
The storms also hoover up bacteria and toxic metal particles, making them potentially damaging to people's health and the environment. During dust storms, mortality from cardiovascular diseases increases by 25%, and from respiratory problems by 18%.
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