AI-Powered Systems Help Predict Dangerous Asian Dust Storms
• Dust storms in parts of Asia pose health and environmental hazards, causing up to 25% more cardiovascular deaths and 18% more respiratory problems • Chinese researchers have developed AI-powered forecasting systems, like Dust Watcher, to predict timing and severity of dust storms up to 12 hours in advance • Dust Watcher uses AI to analyze data and achieve 13% fewer errors compared to non-AI models • Dense populations in East Asia severely impacted by dust storms, highlighting need for accurate predictions • Climate change may influence future dust storm patterns in complex ways, either reducing or exacerbating the issue