A Synoptic- and Remote Sensing-based Analysis of a Severe Dust Storm Event over Central Asia

A severe dust storm blanketing Central Asia on 3–4 November 2021 was investigated employing satellite remote-sensing, synoptic meteorological observations, reanalysis and HYSPLIT back-trajectories. The prevailing conditions showed an intensification of air subsidence over eastern Kazakhstan, featured in a typical omega-blocking system the region two troughs to its west east axis, one day before storm. high-pressure temperature gradients Kazakhstan modulated dominant anticyclonic wind pattern generated from south Balkhash basin toward Caspian Sea, causing huge that covered southern half large parts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Turkmenistan. originated steppes by violent downdraft winds. Initially it swept then whole reaching Sea west. Meteorological measurements back-trajectories at selected sites (Turkmenabat, Khujand Tashkent) remarkable impact reduced (by 2–4°C) visibility below 1 km different periods, as thick plume expanded various directions. extremely high PM concentrations (PM10 > 10,000 µg m–3 could endanger both human health environment, especially suffering susceptibility erosion significant land degradation desertification. Effective immediate stabilising measures control vulnerable areas are warranted.