National Center Of Meteorology Highlights UAE’s Prominent Role In Supporting Rain Enhancement Research
A high-level delegation from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), headed by His Excellency Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, Executive Director of NCM and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is participating in the International Weather Modification and Cloud-Aerosol Workshop in Seoul, capital of South Korea.
Running from November 4 to 6, 2019, the event aims to explore the latest developments and innovations in weather modification and coordinate research efforts.
His Excellency Dr Al Mandous delivered the opening speech at the workshop. The event convenes top international decision makers and experts in weather modification from around the world to address various issues related to weather research, such as observation, experimental and numerical modeling of cloud physics, and weather modification. Other topics under the spotlight include cloud-aerosol-precipitation interactions (CAPI) strategy and research, design of precipitation enhancement, as well as application of weather modification techniques to mitigate the impact of drought, air pollution and forest fires.
His Excellency Dr Al Mandous said: “Our participation in this international workshop seeks to highlight the UAE’s pioneering efforts in promoting and advancing rain enhancement research through building synergies and strengthening collaboration with leading international research institutions and scientists. Our work goes a long way in building capacities at local and international levels as well as stepping up international endeavors to find viable solutions to global water security challenges.”
For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, Director of UAEREP, said: “The International Weather Modification and Cloud-Aerosol Workshop provides us with an excellent opportunity to reach out to leading international stakeholders involved in weather modification. At UAEREP, we hold a series of overseas roadshows and participate in specialized international events throughout the year to share our expertise and explore international cloud seeding success stories. Such outings allow us to re-align the focus of our research activities with the latest scientific developments in rain enhancement to ensure the sustainability of water resources in arid and semi-arid regions across the world.”
During a session titled ‘Weather Modification Strategy and Future Technology’, Al Mazrouei presented an overview of the UAE’s achievements in the rain enhancement field, including pioneering initiatives that contribute to attaining water security on a global level through UAEREP and its nine awarded projects, in addition to the 4th International Rain Enhancement Forum. She also invited researchers and scientists to submit their innovative research proposals for the next cycle of the program.
As part of its participation in the workshop, the delegation highlighted UAEREP’s weather modification techniques using advanced aircrafts, history of cloud seeding in the UAE, statistical randomization method, and validation of cloud seeding operations. UAEREP experts also outlined the measurements and manufacturing technology of cloud chambers, seeding materials, field instruments, production of hygroscopic flares, cloud seeding operations by aircraft and ground generators, and Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory and its future plans.
On the sidelines of the workshop, the NCM and UAEREP team met with the team of the 3rd Cycle awardee Prof. Eric Frew and was briefed on the progress made in his innovative research project. Prof. Eric Frew, Associate Professor at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Colorado in Boulder, is developing an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which employs custom-made sensors to gather in-situ, real-time data to sense and target suitable clouds for seeding using unmanned aerial vehicles.
The delegation will also tour the weather modification technologies exhibition held on the sidelines of the workshop to explore the latest technologies, and pay a field visit to the laboratories of the Korea Meteorological Association.
Since its launch in 2015 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAEREP has made significant strides in advancing rain enhancement research. Managed by NCM, the program aims to develop innovative technologies to address water security challenges, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. It also promotes effective international cooperation and supports advanced scientific and technical research projects covering all aspects of rain enhancement utilizing the UAE’s world-class infrastructure that enables state-of-the-art national rain enhancement operations.
