Dust storms are pervasive across much of inland California and have many adverse effects. Perhaps most notable are the health impacts associated with dust, which range from traffic accidents due to poor visibility, to respiratory disease caused by direct exposure. Unfortunately, these health impacts are disproportionately borne by vulnerable groups. However, dust storms also affect many other aspects of life in the state, including water resources, solar energy production, agricultural productivity, and weather and climate.

UC Dust is a new center developed with the goals of developing and implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies that address current and likely future dust storms in California. UC Dust is comprised of faculty, staff and students from 7 UCs who have expertise in the diverse disciplines relevant to dust storms, including the atmospheric, soil, health, and climate sciences, geography, ecology, hydrology, and environmental policy and justice.

A Haboob traveling northward across the Salton Sea on October 6, 2022. Image credit: Rodney Pentoney