Saudi Arabia Sees 53% Drop in Dust and Sandstorms in First Seven Months of 2025
Improved air quality linked to national environmental efforts and positive climatic shifts.
Riyadh — The Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms has observed a marked decline in dust and sandstorm activity across Saudi Arabia from January to July 2025.
According to the center's data, there was a 53% decrease in these weather phenomena compared to historical averages over the same period.The impact of this reduction varied monthly, with an 80% drop recorded in January, followed by lesser declines in subsequent months: 40% in February, 75% in March, 41% in April, 40% in May, 59% in June, and 41% in July.
Executive Director Jamaan Al-Qahtani attributes the reduction to a combination of national environmental initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative, cloud seeding programs aimed at inducing precipitation, expansions in vegetation projects, stricter controls on grazing activities that contribute to dust generation, and the protective role played by royal reserves in safeguarding ecosystems.In addition to national efforts, Al-Qahtani highlighted climatic shifts characterized by more favorable air mass patterns.
This change has led to improved air quality and a decrease in natural dust sources, further contributing to the observed reduction in sandstorms.The Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms underscores that these results represent a qualitative indicator of the success of national strategies in mitigating extreme weather events like sandstorms and promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
According to the center's data, there was a 53% decrease in these weather phenomena compared to historical averages over the same period.The impact of this reduction varied monthly, with an 80% drop recorded in January, followed by lesser declines in subsequent months: 40% in February, 75% in March, 41% in April, 40% in May, 59% in June, and 41% in July.
Executive Director Jamaan Al-Qahtani attributes the reduction to a combination of national environmental initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative, cloud seeding programs aimed at inducing precipitation, expansions in vegetation projects, stricter controls on grazing activities that contribute to dust generation, and the protective role played by royal reserves in safeguarding ecosystems.In addition to national efforts, Al-Qahtani highlighted climatic shifts characterized by more favorable air mass patterns.
This change has led to improved air quality and a decrease in natural dust sources, further contributing to the observed reduction in sandstorms.The Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms underscores that these results represent a qualitative indicator of the success of national strategies in mitigating extreme weather events like sandstorms and promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
