Dear Authors,

Thanks for your revised manuscript, which answers several points raised by the reviewers. However, I do feel that despite the new Table 4, validation of the meteorology, and of wind speed at surface in particular, is still a bit short. Table 4 show skill scores averaged over which domain? R/RMSE are fine, but bias should also be shown. Ideally, in addition to Table 4, a plot showing the bias of simulated wind as compared to a reanalysis product, also highlighting the dust producing regions, would be a clear plus.

We have no observations of dust emissions; wind speed is the closest proxy to "observed" dust emissions, so it is a good idea to spend more time in ensuring that it is indeed correctly simulated.

Kind regards,
Samuel