The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has announced the launch of a campaign to research the performance of using different materials for cloud seeding, to enhance rainfall in the UAE.
The 'Cloud-Aerosol-Electrical Interactions for Rainfall Enhancement Experiment (CLOUDIX)' campaign will be conducted at Al Ain International Airport, along with the United States-based company for cloud physics research and instrumentation, Stratton Park Engineering Company (SPEC).
Cloud seeding will be tested with and without the use of electric charge, and a series of flights will trial the research around the UAE and in certain areas of Oman. The SPEC Learjet aircraft and the NCM cloud seeding aircraft will be utilised to conduct the research.
The aircraft will collect information to increase rainfall by assessing the difference in cloud properties with and without electric charge from various altitudes.
During the campaign, individuals at NCM will be trained to conduct cloud physics research and analyse the data received from aboard the research aircraft.
Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation and Director-General of NCM said, "This research campaign demonstrates NCM’s active role in promoting innovative research in areas related to national priorities including water security."