Will It Rain in Dubai This Weekend? And What is Cloud Seeding?
Time to dust off those Dior boots…
It was a wet Wednesday evening as Dubai residents made their way home from work, with strong winds and rain showers carrying into the following morning.
@zubairarain1674 Today Rain In Dubai ♥️?#dubai_dxb_uae ♬ original sound – zubair
While the forecast calls for more rain and cloudy skies in parts of the UAE throughout Thursday and Friday, the big questions is whether or not we can anticipate a dry Saturday and Sunday…
Will It Rain in Dubai This Weekend?
While strong gusts of winds are to be expected, the weather forecast currently does not anticipate any showers for the weekend.
@kataliya_143 Rarely raining in dubai
What is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification technique that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds by introducing tiny ice nuclei or condensation nuclei into the air. These nuclei act as seeds, providing a platform for water vapor to condense and grow into raindrops or snowflakes.
The UAE is at the forefront of cloud seeding research and development. By actively practicing and refining the technology, they contribute to advancing this field globally and sharing their insights with other arid regions.
There are a number of reasons as to why Dubai would do cloud seeding: The emirate receives minimal natural rainfall, making it heavily reliant on desalination for freshwater. Cloud seeding offers a potential to increase rainfall, replenishing groundwater reserves and enhancing overall water security. By increasing rainfall, even modestly, cloud seeding can alleviate drought conditions and support agriculture, landscaping, and other water-intensive activities.
@goekitravels Dubai rain ??️ #rain #dxb #dubai #uae #visitdubai #dubairain #dubaiweather #dubailifestyle?? #fypage #fyou #thunderstorm ♬ Rain – G ö K ?
How Often Does It Rain in Dubai?
According to The National, on average the UAE records about 100 millimetres of precipitation a year, however, last year 18 month’s worth of rain poured down over the emirates in just 3 days; Dubai sees approx. 25 days of rain per year.
Watch Thunderstorms in The UAE: 5 Videos of The Lightning, Thunder and Rain
Back in October UAE residents and nationals took to social media to share clips of a thunderstorm in Dubai, where lightning could be spotted striking the Burj Khalifa.
Rainstorm & #lightning in #dubai #burjkhalifa pic.twitter.com/EqCgQk0ra8
— Andrew Coye (@andrewcoye) October 26, 2023
Terrible lightning strikes in #Dubai ?⚡️
#Dubai live pic.twitter.com/LzGi4TTyZT— Simon ekpa after Mazi Nnamdi KANU (@EkpaKanu) October 26, 2023
Rain with lightening in Dubai through cloud seeding.
Copied from a WhatsApp group. pic.twitter.com/sdUUNblvCm
— Sudhanshu S Singh (@sssingh21) October 27, 2023
Beautiful evening, Heavy rain in Abu Dhabi pic.twitter.com/v9zDsdjJ8H
— Dr. Pramod Quantum Seeker (@PKBasoya) October 26, 2023
The massive Flooding due to the extreme rain in Abu Dhabi, UAE ??
(26.10.2023)TELEGRAM JOIN ?https://t.co/KunqgpQfdk pic.twitter.com/RTEipJvFOY
— Distress News (@Top_Distress) October 26, 2023
Too much raining in Abu Dhabi .. i love the rain too ? pic.twitter.com/3sgJeQCzQm
— Nada (@AtfehNada) October 26, 2023
How often does the Burj Khalifa get hit by lightning?
The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, is a magnet for lightning strikes. Sources report that it experiences approximately 10 lightning strikes per year on average. This is due to its immense height, which makes it the tallest point in the surrounding area and therefore the most likely target for lightning strikes.
The Burj Khalifa is equipped with a sophisticated lightning protection system that is designed to safely dissipate the enormous electrical energy of a lightning strike. The system includes a network of lightning rods, grounding conductors, and surge protection devices. When lightning strikes the building, the electricity is channeled through the rods and conductors and safely discharged into the ground.
Despite the lightning protection system, there have been a few instances where lightning strikes have caused damage to the Burj Khalifa. In 2010, a lightning strike caused a fire in the building that was quickly extinguished. In 2011, another lightning strike caused damage to the spire of the building.
The Burj Khalifa is a marvel of engineering, and its lightning protection system is one of the most advanced in the world. However, it is important to remember that no building is completely immune to lightning strikes.
Lead image courtesy of Dior Cruise 2019 (Jason Lloyd-Evans)