UAE tests new cloud seeding technology to boost rainfall

UAE tests new cloud seeding technology to boost rainfall

The campaign includes a series of coordinated flight missions that will cover the UAE airspace and parts of Oman. These missions will utilise NCM’s cloud seeding aircraft and an instrumented research Learjet aircraft operated by SPEC, which was the recipient of UAEREP’s Fourth Cycle grant for its pioneering research project titled ‘Improving the chemical and physical properties of seeding materials through electric charges’.

Weather officials with the aircraft used in the research Image Credit: Supplied

As part of the campaign, the SPEC research aircraft will gather initial measurements of cloud microphysical properties and electrical characteristics at various altitudes within a convective cloud target amenable to seeding. Subsequently, the NCM aircraft will conduct cloud seeding on the same measured cloud by using one of the following seeding approaches: nanomaterial (N), large salt particles (L), and conventional hygroscopic (H) flares, both with and without electric charging (NC, LC, and HC).

These seeding methods will be investigated across multiple stages involving diverse cloud targets. Following the seeding, the Learjet aircraft will re-measure the cloud to observe an active natural secondary ice nucleation process at high altitudes, up to some 25,000 feet. This process directly contributes to amplifying cloud seeding effects and increased rainfall.

Water security goals

Dr Abdulla