MAC-CLIMA Workshop on SDS-WAS West Africa: Senegal
Summary
In the framework of the MAC-CLIMA Interreg project, AEMET (State Meteorological Agency of Spain) has organized a two-days workshop on mineral dust forecast and observational products aimed at meteorologists and technicians of ANACIM (Agence National de l'Aviation Civil et la Météorologie du Sénégal).
This workshop is part of the first phase of the development of a SDS warning system for all western and northern African countries (Concept Note link). This system is based on the pilot project of a warning advisory system successfully working in Burkina Faso since October 2018.
An outline of the content and objectives of the workshop is provided below:
Background
More than 500 million people live in West and Northern Africa, a region stretching from the Gulf of Guinea in the west to the Red Sea in the east and covering areas such as the Sahara desert and the Sahel. The Sahara is the most extensive desert on Earth and the main emission source of mineral dust into the atmosphere. Airborne dust does not only affect the desert itself, but, especially in winter and spring, is dragged to densely populated areas of the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea, where it causes a deep deterioration of air quality and triggers serious health problems. High concentrations of dust also affect agriculture, aviation, due to the drastic reduction in visibility, and other socio-economic sectors.
Workshop Objectives
The first day will be dedicated to probabilistic products and a Sand and Dust Warning Advisory System developed for Senegal and how to use this products in the daily work routine of a weather forecaster. The second day will be focused on the instrumentation provided by the project, namely a hand-held photometer and a PM sensor already installed in ANACIM premises.
Participants
Meteorologists and technicians of ANACIM
Funding
Activity 85% co-financed by European Regional Developing Fund (ERDF)
Material
Agenda
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