An automated algorithm for the detection of Dust Storms is desribed. The algorithms analyses Three-Dimensional properties of the Reflectivity, Velocity, and Spectrum Width fields.

Criteria to identify a Dust Storm are, among others: – Lower and upper limits of Intensity (Reflectitvty) echoes – Upper limits of echoes – Vertical reflectivity gradient – Horizontal Wind Speed – Mean Turbulence

A large sample of data sets from the C-Band Doppler Radar of the Kuwait International Airport covering Dust Storm situations are available. The performance of the Dust Storm detection algorithm is demonstrated in several case studies. Propability of Detection and False Alarm Ratio are analysed depending on different settings of algorithm parameters and thresholds.