National Centre of Meteorology conducts innovative technology demonstration

National Centre of Meteorology conducts innovative technology demonstration

ABU DHABI– The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), through the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), completed the second phase of innovative technology demonstration trials to explore the possibility of artificial cloud formation by stimulating local updrafts.

The field trials were conducted on Jebel Jeis, the UAE's highest peak at 1,934 metres above sea level, in Ras Al Khaimah, by a research team led by Dr. Ali Abshaev, UAEREP’s 3rd cycle awardee and Senior Researcher at the Hail Suppression Research Centre in Russia.

The team observed wintertime local-scale cloud processes and precipitation over the eastern areas of the UAE and compared the results with their previous springtime trials conducted from 17th February to 26th March, 2021.

The project’s purpose was to study the possibility of stimulating cumulus cloud formation using an innovative jet engine composite system which releases a high-velocity stream of customised aerosol particles into the atmosphere to trigger artificial updrafts and, consequently, cloud formation.

From 24th December, 2021, to 5th January, 2022, the team conducted twelve experiments in different atmospheric conditions. These included three experiments in clear cloudless sky conditions, four when convective or layered convective clouds were over the site or at a short distance, three with direct interventions