Dubai is known worldwide for its weather modification, especially cloud seeding. This method releases substances into the air to promote rainfall in the dry area. Does Dubai control the weather? Although Dubai cannot fully control the weather, but it does influence it to tackle water shortages and lessen extreme heat. If you’re curious about how it works after the recent rain and storms, here in this blog on Indubaimall, we will tell what you need to know.
Concept of Weather Control
Weather control, or geoengineering, is the intentional alteration of weather patterns. It affects rain, temperature, wind, and other atmospheric conditions. Different methods have been created for this purpose. For example, cloud seeding involves adding materials like silver iodide to clouds to increase rain. To manage temperature, reflective surfaces like white roofs can be used to lower heat absorption. Wind patterns can be changed by building windbreaks or using wind turbines. Fog and haze can be controlled with fog nets or air purifiers. Technologies like laser beams and electromagnetic waves are also being studied for weather modification.
Dubai Interest in Weather Modification
Does Dubai control the weather? In the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, cloud seeding is a method used by the government to tackle water shortages. Also known as artificial rain, this technique is among the first of its kind in the Persian Gulf. Scientists in the UAE employ cloud seeding to help with water scarcity caused by the hot climate. They use weather radars to keep an eye on the atmosphere. Estimates suggest that cloud seeding can increase rainfall by 30-35% in clear conditions and 10-15% in humid conditions. However, there are worries about its environmental effects and the unpredictability of its long-term global impact.
History of Cloud Seeding in the UAE
The United Nations forecasts that by 2025, almost 14% of the global population will face water shortages, especially concerning for dry areas like Dubai. To combat this, the government has started a cloud seeding program as a sustainable and affordable way to meet water demands now and in the future. Dubai has a hot climate with little rain, about 120 millimeters each year. Since the 1990s, the country has used cloud seeding Dubai to tackle this issue, starting with the UAE Research Programmer for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). This program works with global partners like NASA to ensure there is enough freshwater for the future.
Implementation in Dubai
The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) started in 1990. It focuses on using new technologies to create more water for the country. Various organizations, including NASA, have participated in this project. While desalination plants are a common method for obtaining water in the UAE, cloud seeding is about 60% cheaper. Cloud seeding has proven effective in Dubai. In 2016, there were 177 flights for this purpose, and by 2019, nearly 200 rainmaking missions were completed, including 8 in October 2019, which produced 6.7 million cubic meters of water. In 2022, there were 311 cloud-seeding missions, totaling almost 1,000 flying hours. These figures highlight the importance and benefits of artificial rain in the UAE.
Technologies Used
How does cloud seeding work? The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) uses planes to spread substances into clouds. These planes release flares containing salts like magnesium, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride into cumulus clouds. Clouds have two air layers: an upper draft and a lower draft. Flares are released into the upper draft, where they burn the salt particles. These particles help moisture droplets combine, creating larger rain droplets that fall as precipitation. This technique aims to boost rainfall by at least 15% in dense clouds over the Arabian Gulf. Al Ain Airport is the base for these aircraft due to its location near mountains. Scientists are also testing drones to electrify clouds, helping water droplets form and fall as rain instead of evaporating. Generators on the ground in mountains like Hafeet and Fujairah can also help create rain. They release salt flares into clouds in order to encourage rain to fall.
