SDS-WAS was established in response to the intention of 40 WMO member countries to improve capabilities for more reliable sand and dust storm forecasts. More than 15 organizations provide daily dust forecasts in different geographic regions. The SDS-WAS works as an international hub of research, operational centres and end users, organized through regional nodes. Three nodes are currently in operation:
1. Regional Node for Asia, coordinated by a Regional Center in Beijing, China, hosted by the China Meteorological Administration.
2. Regional Node for Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe (NAMEE), coordinated by a Regional Center in Barcelona, Spain, hosted by the State Meteorological Agency of Spain (AEMET) and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC).
3. Regional Node for Pan-America, coordinated by a Regional Center in Bridgetown, Barbados, hosted by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology