Sand and dust storms usually occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from bare, dry soils into the atmosphere. They are common meteorological hazards in arid and semi-arid regions. Airborne dust presents serious risks for human health as well as for human activities like transportation. This animation explains the processes and risks associated with sand and dust storms and how WMO fosters the improvement of capabilities for more reliable sand and dust storm forecasts in collaboration with many partners of the WMO Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System who contribute to model development and provide daily dust forecasts in different geographic regions.