Aviation
The frequency, intensity and operative impact on the aviation sector of sand and dust storms have increased in the last years and are expected to worsen due to climate change and land degradation. Business aviation operators need to identify in advance areas where visibility is forecasted to be limited by blowing sand and dust since this can impact go/no-go flight decisions.
What we do
Together with the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), we host the WMO Barcelona Dust Regional Center, providing timely and quality predictions of atmospheric dust concentrations useful for the aviation sector.
Drastic reduction in visibility, even close to zero in some circumstances, is likely to accompany dust and sand storms. Besides, dust and sand ingestion into aircraft engines may cause reductions in power to the extent of complete engine failure. Short-term forecasts of sand and dust storms can be used as flight planning tools by aviation users to ensure that they can operate safely and efficiently.
Our dust forecasts are based on the in-house atmospheric-chemistry MONARCH model, developed by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center in collaboration with the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
Dust models are developed for short to the medium-term prediction of mineral dust events worldwide and for regional climate modelling. Models are essential to complement dust-related observations, understand the dust processes and predict the impact of dust on the surface concentrations of particulate matter.
Success Story
Dust forecasts for aviation operators
Having accurate, reliable information about sand and dust events gives pilots the tools they need to operate flights safely and efficiently around the world.
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Our partners and collaborators
Some of the companies and institutions that collaborate with us
