Thanks to a new radar technology raindrops as far as 200 kilometres away can now be detected in the UAE. The recently launched Meteorological Radar project from Dubai Municipality cannot only pinpoint rainclouds but also identify the types of thunderstorms and its time of occurrence and direction.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the project was implemented as part of the development of the early warning system for weather forecasting, in addition to monitoring climate change and its impact on all regions in the emirate of Dubai.
The meteorologists can then analyse radar observations and predict the passage of a storm over a certain area. In many cases, they can also give advance warnings about the path of cyclones, whirlwinds, severe storms, and cloud direction, in addition to the location and intensity of a downpour.
In many cases, they can give advance warnings to the public and those in charge about the path of a cyclone, a whirlwind, a severe storm, cloud direction, the place and intensity of downpour for taking precautions.
The meteorological radar was installed in coordination with Sky Dive on at the Fly Dubai building Dubai - Al Ain Road, because the building is the best contour height to get a 360 degree circular coverage of all areas of the Emirate of Dubai for the radar range and the least impact of jamming sources.
Iman Al Khatibi, Head of Geodetic and Marine Survey Department, Dubai Municipality, said, "The Meteorological Radar Project highlights the continuous development of the weather forecasting system of Najm Sohail, one of the best meteorological systems used for technology at the regional level. Through its development, Dubai Municipality strives to provide and maintain sustainability in public safety with the best services to the public and partners."