ECMWF

Today is the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀

Dust is harmful to human health and can cause or aggravate many respiratory diseases, as well as cardiovascular disease and meningitis. It can affect agricultural output; disrupt air, road and rail transport; and cover solar panels, reducing their effectiveness at producing energy.

The 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 (𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗦), which is implemented by ECMWF, provides forecasts to help organisations and citizens avoid or mitigate the effects of dust storms. Drawing on a network of satellites and ground-based sensors, CAMS offers several dust-related forecasts and analyses:

• The 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 are produced every 12 hours, giving a prediction for the next 5 days

• The 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁, which includes a specific dust product, is released once a day for the coming 4 days

Read more
➡️ https://stories.ecmwf.int/forecasting-dust-storms/index.html

Thunderstorms can bring a range of severe hazards, including flash flooding, large hail and even tornadoes. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, they have also caused a different kind of disruption: match delays.

On 1 July, thunderstorms delayed Mexico's FIFA World Cup 2026 round-of-32 match against Ecuador. Just six hours earlier, the ESA-JAXA 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 (Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer) satellite had flown close to the stadium, observing the storms as they developed — and those radar observations were then 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗖𝗠𝗪𝗙 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 in near real time. These observations were used to help produce the initial conditions for weather forecasts released just before the match.

Since June 2026, EarthCARE cloud profiling radar (CPR) data is being assimilated into ECMWF’s global forecasting system – the first time any operational forecasting centre has assimilated this type of data.

Read more in this article by ECMWF Scientists
➡️ https://earth.esa.int/eogateway/gallery/assimilating-over-the-azteca-earthcare-captures-the-storms-behind-a-world-cup-delay

A new UNICEF report has used climate data from Copernicus ECMWF to build the most detailed global picture to date of climate hazards affecting children worldwide.

The Children’s Climate Risk Report (2026) incorporates the latest precision data from the new UNICEF Global Child Hazard Database, which uses ERA5 climate reanalysis data, to assess where children are exposed to multiple, overlapping climate hazards including drought, floods, storms, wildfires, and extreme heat.

The use of ERA5 is particularly important for heat-related risks, where local conditions determine whether temperatures become dangerous for children and communities.

Read more
➡️ https://www.ecmwf.int/en/about/media-centre/news/2026/era5-climate-hazards-facing-children

How are climate conditions linked to health in Europe?
A new article from the Copernicus Health Hub, based on the European State of the Climate 2025, explores how heat stress, drought, flooding, wildfire emissions, along with air pollution, are influencing health risks across Europe.

Drawing on evidence from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the article shows why reliable climate information matters for preparedness, adaptation and public health planning.

Read the article: https://health.hub.copernicus.eu/climate-and-health-europe-key-insights-esotc-2025

Three weeks left to register for the ECMWF Annual Seminar 2026!

📅 14–18 September 2026
📍 ECMWF, Reading, UK

This year's seminar will explore advancing the assimilation of Earth system observations with new methodology and machine learning.

🗓️ The deadline to register for in-person attendance is 27 July 2026.

Register here ➡️ https://events.ecmwf.int/e/AS2026