Cloud Seeding in The UAE: NCM Confirms No Operations During Severe Weather
Bazaar Arabia speaks to an official from the UAE weather bureau to find out whether cloud seeding takes place during storms
Intense torrential downpours took over the UAE on Tuesday, April 16, which was later regarded as the highest amount of rainfall recorded in the country for 75 years.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia reached out to a National Center of Meteorology (NCM) representative to find out whether cloud seeding operations took place during the height of the storm.
Is Cloud Seeding Safe? NCM Confirms No Operations During Severe Weather
“During severe weather like yesterday’s [April 16], which had very strong winds, clouds, and too much lightning, for safety purposes, we don’t carry out cloud seeding operations,” the official from the weather bureau told Bazaar Arabia..
When asked about whether the practice is safe, he said: “It’s not done during severe weather due to the pilot’s safety concerns and the airport does not permit flying.”
What is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical processes within the cloud. Its effectiveness is debated; some studies have suggested that it is “difficult to show clearly that cloud seeding has a very large effect.” The usual objective is to increase precipitation (rain or snow), either for its own sake or to prevent precipitation from occurring in days afterward.
There are two main types of cloud seeding:
- Static cloud seeding: This involves dispersing silver iodide or dry ice into the air using generators on the ground or in aircraft. The silver iodide or dry ice acts as a cloud condensation nuclei, which provide a surface for water vapor to condense on and form raindrops or snowflakes.
- Dynamic cloud seeding: This involves dispersing materials into the updrafts of thunderstorms. These materials can include salt flares, pyrotechnic devices, or even liquid propane. The goal of dynamic cloud seeding is to increase the amount of precipitation that falls from the thunderstorm.
Cloud seeding is used in many countries around the world, including the United States, China, Russia, and Australia. It is used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Increasing precipitation in areas experiencing drought: Cloud seeding can be used to increase rainfall in areas that are experiencing drought. This can help to improve water supplies for agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower.
- Reducing the size of hailstones: Cloud seeding can be used to reduce the size of hailstones that form in thunderstorms. This can help to protect crops and property from hail damage.
- Suppressing fog: Cloud seeding can be used to suppress fog in and around airports. This can help to improve visibility and safety for aircraft.
- Increasing snowfall in ski resorts: Cloud seeding can be used to increase snowfall in ski resorts. This can help to extend the ski season and attract more visitors.
Cloud seeding is a complex process, and its effectiveness is still being studied. However, it is a promising tool for managing water resources and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
Why Do They Do Cloud Seeding in The UAE?
The UAE is a very arid country, making it one of the driest countries in the world.
Cloud seeding is a process of dispersing small particles into the air that can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) or ice nuclei. CCN are tiny particles that water vapour can condense on to form clouds. Ice nuclei are tiny particles that water vapour can freeze on to form ice crystals.
When clouds are seeded with CCN or ice nuclei, they can produce more rain or snow than they would naturally. This is because the CCN or ice nuclei provide more surfaces for water vapour to condense or freeze on.
The UAE has been using cloud seeding technology since the early 1990s. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) is responsible for the country’s cloud seeding program. The NCM uses a variety of methods to seed clouds, including aircraft-based seeding and ground-based seeding.
The NCM has said that cloud seeding can increase rainfall in the UAE by up to 30%. The NCM also says that cloud seeding can help to reduce hail damage and suppress fog.
The NCM says that cloud seeding is safe and environmentally friendly and that the benefits of cloud seeding outweigh the risks.
Read More About Cloud Seeding Here
Cloud Seeding in the UAE: Everything You Need To Know
Cloud Seeding in The UAE? 5 Facts You Didn’t Know
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@pixtarami
