Just as things have started to dry out in the country there’s more rain on the way.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) there is a probability of light rainfall on Monday April 22nd which will turn to moderate and even heavy rainfall on Tuesday April 23. Let’s hope it’s nothing like we’ve witnessed this week.

When was the last storm in the UAE?

The UAE witnessed its largest amount of rainfall in 75 years on Tuesday April 16th and we all know that it sent the city into chaos. See the vids here.

We all knew that the bad weather was coming as the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) warned residents about the heavy rains plus, a message from an unknown source was circulating on WhatsApp.

Work-from-home orders were issued by the government for public sector employees and schools and with more than a year and a half’s rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in just a few hours that led to flooding major roads and its international airport, you’re probs asking is there another storm coming? Well, the answer is yes. But not just yet.

As the UAE uses cloud seeding it means that there is a schedule for when rain falls from the skies, but as for the time and date for the next session…here’s everything we know.

When can we expect the next storm in the UAE?

The United Arab Emirates has been actively engaged in cloud seeding since the 1990s. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) is the government agency that oversees the country’s Rain Enhancement Program. Using dozens of weather stations it closely monitors atmospheric conditions to manage seeding operations.

Just this week, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) announced its pursuit of advanced techniques to analyze a cloud’s seeding potential with greater precision. This initiative aims to revolutionize the way cloud seeding is done, potentially increasing rain volume from clouds too. Can we expect more severe storms in the near future?

In 2024, meteorological experts will likely conduct up to 300 cloud-seeding missions throughout the UAE.

What is cloud seeding?

Cloud seeding involves inducing rainfall artificially by introducing particles into clouds. In the UAE, silver iodide is commonly utilized as the catalyst for cloud seeding, a substance familiar to many from science classes.

As it turns out, cloud seeding is a regular practice in the country. The UAE’s cloud seeding program commenced in the late 1990s and reportedly contributes to at least a 15 percent increase in annual rainfall.

For years, the UAE has led efforts in cloud seeding to combat its arid climate, aiming to bolster agriculture and tackle water security concerns by augmenting rainfall. Collaborations with international entities like NASA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the US have further advanced the UAE’s cloud-seeding endeavors since the 2000s.

According to the Minister of Climate Change of Environment, the nation’s rain enhancement initiative is essential to enhancing food and water security. As well as replenishing groundwater reserves and boosting tourism.