The UAE conducted 39 cloud-seeding missions in July 2025, contributing to recent heavy rains across the country. So far this year, 185 operations have been carried out, using advanced weather modification technologies to boost rainfall by up to 25 per cent—an essential step towards ensuring the nation’s water security.
The UAE has conducted 185 cloud-seeding operations so far in 2025, with 39 missions in July alone, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Recent weeks saw moderate to heavy rainfall across several emirates, along with dust storms, haze, and a drop in temperatures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai—offering residents a welcome respite from the summer heat.
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The country’s cloud-seeding programme aims to increase rainfall by 10–25 per cent using technologies such as:
Hygroscopic flares
Nanomaterials
Electric-charge emitters
Each year, more than 900 hours of cloud-seeding flights are conducted, costing roughly Dh29,000 (US$8,000) per flight hour. The UAE fleet includes 12 trained pilots, four aircraft, and a nationwide network of weather radars and automated stations.
AI-driven forecasting, machine-learning detection, and real-time monitoring have improved mission targeting and operational precision.
A typical mission lasts up to three hours and covers the UAE’s borders. Pilots approach targeted cumulus clouds, fly beneath them in circular patterns, and release salt particles from flares to enhance conductivity—triggering increased rainfall.
Research published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science shows that UAE cloud seeding generates 168–838 million cubic metres of additional rainfall annually, with 84–419 million cubic metres of that being usable water.
A separate study on ResearchGate found an average 23% increase in annual surface rainfall in seeded areas compared to the pre-seeding era (1981–2002 vs. 2003–2019).
Under optimal conditions, cloud seeding can boost rainfall by 15–25%, making it a vital contributor to the UAE’s water security.
Launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and managed by the NCM, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is a leading global initiative promoting scientific innovation to address water scarcity challenges.
The programme’s impact extends beyond the UAE, inspiring other arid nations to explore cloud-seeding technology as a sustainable water solution.
