International Training Workshop on Sand and Dust Storms Monitoring and Forecasting in Asia (25-31 October, Beijing, China)

International Training Workshop on Sand and Dust Storms Monitoring and Forecasting in Asia The International Training Workshop on Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) Monitoring and Forecasting in Asia will be held in Beijing, China, from 25 to 31 October 2026. The workshop is hosted by the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), organized by the CMA International Cooperation and Training Centre (CMA ICTC), which also serves as the WMO Regional Training Centre (RTC) Beijing, and sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the International Initiative for Early Warning of Dust and Sand Storms. The workshop will bring together meteorologists, researchers, and operational forecasters from across Asia to strengthen regional capabilities in sand and dust storm monitoring, forecasting, and early warning. The programme includes lectures, technical demonstrations, and expert exchanges on topics such as the WMO Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS), artificial intelligence applications for early warning, operational forecasting platforms, numerical dust prediction models, the impacts of sand and dust storms on human health, and efforts to combat desertification. Participants will also visit key meteorological facilities in Beijing and share national experiences through a dedicated participants’ forum. The workshop contributes to WMO’s efforts to enhance forecasting capabilities, promote knowledge sharing, and strengthen regional cooperation in support of effective sand and dust storm early warning services and risk reduction across Asia.