Unprecedented sand and dust storms hit China and US-Mexico border in 2025, WMO reports

In 2025, unprecedented sand and dust storms struck China and the US-Mexico border region, with PM10 concentrations reaching up to 8,142 micrograms per cubic meter in El Paso, Texas—the highest ever recorded in the state Source: hoydo. The storms caused school closures, transport disruptions, and fatal accidents due to low visibility Source: infobae.

What happened

In April 2025, a massive dust storm from Mongolia triggered the worst sand and dust storm in a decade in China, with hourly PM10 levels exceeding 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter and some areas reaching 3,000–4,000 micrograms Source: larepublicaco. Along the US-Mexico border, El Paso recorded 50 dust storm days in 2025—more than double the annual average and the highest since the 1930s Dust Bowl Source: larepublicaco. On March 18, a storm lasting over six hours produced a daily average PM10 of 2,064 micrograms per cubic meter and a peak hourly concentration of 8,142 micrograms Source: infobae.

Causes and impacts

The WMO attributes the intensification of these natural phenomena to drought, poor land management, and environmental degradation Source: hoydo. Globally, about 2 billion tons of dust enter the atmosphere annually, mainly from the Sahara, Gobi, and Arabian deserts Source: larepublicaco. The storms threaten over 150 countries, worsening air quality, respiratory and cardiovascular health, agricultural productivity, and infrastructure Source: infobae.

What's next

The WMO bulletin highlights that artificial intelligence and new satellite technologies are improving dust source detection and forecasting, enabling faster and more precise alerts Source: hoydo.