UAE Advances Cloud Seeding Technology to Enhance Rainfall Amid Water Security Efforts
The United Arab Emirates has launched an advanced cloud-seeding campaign aimed at increasing rainfall across the country. In collaboration with the U.S.-based Stratton Park Engineering Company (SPEC), the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) will conduct a month-long trial using innovative cloud-seeding technologies.
The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has announced that this initiative, called “The Cloudix Initiative,” will test cloud-seeding materials both with and without electrical charges. The project seeks to refine cloud-aerosol-electrical interactions to enhance rainfall efficiency.
As part of the experiment, the NCM’s cloud-seeding aircraft and SPEC’s research Learjet will be equipped with advanced sensors to collect critical atmospheric data. The test flights, beginning this week from Al Ain International Airport, will extend across the UAE’s airspace and parts of Oman.
Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Director General of the NCM, emphasized the significance of this research. “This campaign highlights NCM’s commitment to innovative research aligned with national priorities such as water security,” he stated. “Our goal is to equip local talent with advanced capabilities to develop technologies that enhance rainfall, benefiting future generations facing water shortages.”
The UAE has been at the forefront of cloud-seeding efforts since the 1990s, collaborating with global institutions such as NASA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The NCM recently announced plans to expand its cloud-seeding capabilities by incorporating more advanced aircraft. A partnership with Calidus Aerospace in Abu Dhabi will provide new aircraft featuring cutting-edge technology to improve operational efficiency.
In January, Mariam Al Mheiri, UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, praised the rain enhancement program as a crucial initiative for strengthening water security, food sustainability, and tourism. Speaking at the International Rain Enhancement Forum in Abu Dhabi, she highlighted the broader benefits of rainfall beyond immediate freshwater supply. “Rain enhancement is a key pillar of the UAE’s innovation strategy, reinforcing our commitment to research and scientific advancements in weather modification,” she noted.
The UAE executed 311 cloud-seeding operations in 2022, logging nearly 1,000 flight hours in pursuit of sustainable water solutions. This latest initiative further solidifies the country’s leadership in climate innovation and rain enhancement science.
