In the digital age, how to decipher the meteorological "code" of sandstorms? | International Day for the Prevention and Control of Sand and Dust Storms

Today is the International Day for Dust Storm Prevention. Dust storms are a type of disastrous weather that harms and affects human life. With the development of science and technology, we can effectively predict and monitor sandstorms. With the help of digital information, we have achieved significant results in preventing such disasters.

Sandstorm weather occurred in parts of Inner Mongolia on April 5, 2024 (Photo source: Xinhua News Agency)

01Sand and dust weather monitoring and forecasting enter the digital age

The monitoring of sandstorm weather mainly comes from the development of meteorological observation technology .

The Jinsha National Atmospheric Background Station built on a high mountain ( Photo source: Xinhua News Agency )

▶ Ground meteorological observation station : can measure meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, etc. during sandstorms.

▶ High-altitude meteorological observation device : It can provide information such as wind field, temperature, air pressure, etc. above the sandstorm, so as to more comprehensively monitor the formation and evolution process of the sandstorm.

▶ Meteorological satellite : can provide information on the shape and movement speed of sandstorm clouds.

On January 5, 2024, China successfully launched the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation 15-18 satellites into space using the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center ( Photo source: Xinhua News Agency )

Some professional monitoring equipment and technologies have also been well applied.

The concentration of particulate matter in the air is monitored in real time using scatterometers, particle meters and other equipment. These devices can be deployed on the ground and continuously monitored to obtain relevant parameters of sandstorms in real time, such as the concentration of inhalable particulate matter ( PM10 ), visibility, etc. Ground monitoring technology can provide high-precision sandstorm data and provide an accurate monitoring basis for the early warning system.

Remote sensing technology can obtain sandstorm images with high temporal and spatial resolution , including the distribution, movement trajectory, intensity and other information of sandstorm clouds. It can also monitor the source of sandstorms and detect and warn of the formation of sandstorms in advance.

Mainly based on models and algorithms, sandstorm weather forecast and warning have also been digitized.

The mathematical model is constructed based on statistical methods, and is continuously adjusted and optimized based on historical data and monitoring data to predict sandstorms. The model warning can predict key information such as the intensity, range, and duration of sandstorms.

Computer technology is used to analyze sandstorm monitoring data, and algorithms are used to determine and predict the occurrence of sandstorms. By analyzing the monitored parameters such as particle concentration and visibility , and using preset algorithm rules, the occurrence trend and possible impact range of sandstorms can be determined in real time.

02 Make full use of meteorological information to prevent sandstorms

Compared with traditional methods, the advantages of digitalization in sandstorm weather monitoring and forecasting are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

(1) Digital technology enables meteorological data to be transmitted to the cloud platform in real time , ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of the data . Cloud computing technology also enables massive amounts of meteorological data to be quickly processed and analyzed , leading to faster early warning and forecasting.

(2) The digital monitoring system can integrate multiple environmental parameters such as total suspended particulate matter ( TSP), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed, air pressure, rainfall, etc. , to achieve 24-hour online real-time monitoring. This comprehensive integration and real-time monitoring can provide more comprehensive sandstorm weather information and help people understand sandstorm weather changes more accurately.

(3) By using a large amount of data to understand the evolution of sandstorms in time and space , artificial intelligence can help predict the development trend of storms. It can also automatically trigger alarms based on monitoring data and promptly notify people to take preventive measures.

(4) The digital system can be connected to surveillance cameras for real-time monitoring , and the on-site situation can be understood at any time through mobile phones and computers. Meteorological information can also be shared more easily among different departments, strengthening inter-departmental collaboration and emergency linkage , and helping government departments and relevant institutions to take timely measures for governance.

Science and technology have brought benefits to mankind. We should make reasonable and full use of meteorological information to timely understand the start and end time, intensity and impact range of sandstorms. For areas that may be affected by sandstorms, it is necessary to formulate special sandstorm weather emergency plans, clarify work responsibilities and safety measures, and ensure that they can be responded to quickly and effectively when sandstorms occur. For areas that may be seriously affected by sandstorms, it is necessary to make preparations for evacuation and transfer in advance to ensure the safety of personnel.

03 Tips for preventing sandstorms

When sandstorms strike, we can make full use of meteorological information, arrange our work and life reasonably, and adopt different prevention strategies in different places to minimize the harm of sandstorms.

▶ Tips for preventing sandstorms at home

If conditions permit, staying at home when sandstorms come is a good way to protect yourself. The main preventive measures at home are:

Close doors and windows in time to prevent sand and dust from entering the room. If necessary, you can seal the doors and windows with tape to enhance the sealing effect.

Keep your room clean by using wet dust removal methods such as mopping with a wet mop and wiping with a wet rag . This method can effectively prevent indoor dust from re-suspending.

You can use methods such as turning on a humidifier and sprinkling water to maintain appropriate air humidity, which will help reduce suspended sand and dust.

If conditions permit, you can turn on an air purifier indoors to help filter out sand and dust particles in the air.

During dusty weather, the air is dry, which can easily lead to chapped lips, dry and itchy nose and throat, etc. Drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins to keep your respiratory tract open and moist.

▶ Tips for preventing sandstorms when driving

Check the vehicle before driving to ensure that the window sealant is not cracked or debonded to prevent dust from entering the vehicle. Check key components such as lights, brake system, and tires to ensure that the vehicle can operate normally in dusty weather.

When driving, keep the windows closed to prevent sand, dust and debris from entering the car, which will affect the driving vision and air quality. Turn off the air conditioning external circulation to prevent sand and dust from entering the car and keep the air in the car fresh.

Car windows should be kept closed while driving in dusty weather (Photo source: Xinhua News Agency)

In dusty weather, visibility is low, so you should turn on fog lights , anti-glare low beam lights, clearance lights, and front and rear position lights to improve vehicle visibility. Avoid using high beam lights to prevent glare caused by dust reflection.

Don't follow the vehicle too closely, keep enough distance between vehicles , and give yourself time and space to deal with emergencies. Pay attention to the situation of the vehicle behind you, and avoid following the vehicle for a long time to prevent the vehicle behind you from losing control or the cargo from overturning, causing danger.

When driving on the highway, avoid driving in the innermost lane and drive in the middle lane as much as possible to prevent the boundary stakes or signs of the isolation belt from being blown down and causing accidents. Stay away from construction areas and billboards and other objects that may collapse due to strong winds.

Choose an appropriate speed based on visibility. When visibility is less than 100 meters, reduce speed or stop to rest . Pay close attention to road conditions, drive at medium or low speeds, and be prepared to brake and stop at any time.

In dusty weather, pedestrians' vision is limited. Drivers should slow down in advance, use the horn more often to give warnings , and carefully avoid pedestrians.

When parking, park the car in the upwind direction with the front of the car facing away from the wind and sand , and stay away from buildings, fences, construction fences, billboards and other objects that may collapse due to strong winds.

After the sandstorm, clean the car body, air conditioning filter and other accessories that may be affected by the sandstorm in time .

▶ Tips for preventing sandstorms when cycling

Wear a professional dust mask to ensure that it can filter out dust in the air. Wear goggles or windproof glasses to protect your eyes from dust. Wear long-sleeved clothing to avoid exposing your skin as much as possible.

Make sure the tire pressure of the bicycle is normal and the brake system is sensitive and reliable. Check whether the handlebars, chain, pedals and other parts are firm to avoid accidents during riding.

Try to ride on familiar and wind-sheltered roads . Avoid construction areas, billboards and other objects that may collapse due to strong winds.

Reduce your riding speed to ensure safety. Pay attention to the surrounding environment and pedestrians, and avoid obstacles in time.

Do not wear headphones to listen to music while riding to avoid distraction.

When riding in strong winds, try to keep your body balanced to avoid being blown down by the wind.

Author: Wang Yuanhong, Senior Weather and Climate Engineer

Reviewer : Lan Mingying, Associate Professor, School of Digital Media and Design Arts, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Produced by: China Science and Technology Press Co., Ltd., China Science and Technology Publishing House (Beijing) Digital Media Co., Ltd.