I. Analysis of Precipitation Enhancement Potential
Scientists from the RAP (R. Bruintjes, D. Breed, V. Salazar, D. Yates, and T. Jensen) in collaboration with scientists from U.S. universities and universities in the UAE and other parts of the world, are assisting the Department of Water Resources Studies (DWRS) in the conduct of a feasibility study for rainfall enhancement via cloud seeding. To scientifically evaluate the viability of cloud seeding for the UAE, the following studies are in progress:
1) A climatology of clouds and rainfall over the UAE to assess cloud characteristics and rainfall distribution. These studies are important to determine first, the existence and second, the frequency of occurrence of suitable clouds.
2) A three-month field program during the months when the largest amounts of clouds and rainfall typically occur in the region. The objectives will be to document: a) the natural aerosol and pollution types, and b) the microphysics and dynamics of natural clouds, including some seeding trials, using an instrumented cloud physics aircraft and weather radars with data-recording capability.
3) Upgrading the recording and display capabilities of the UAE weather radars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by implementing the NCAR Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, and Analyses (TITAN) software system. In addition, it is proposed to network the data from both radars into one display. The TITAN radar software system collects data on the time-dependent three-dimensional properties of clouds.
4) Atmospheric and hydrological modeling studies on mesoscale weather features and the formation of clouds and rain relevant to evaluating the potential for cloud seeding.
5) Analysis of the collected aircraft, radar, and chemistry data to determine the natural precipitation processes, and the effect of seeding on these processes.
6) Hydrological studies conducted by institutions or a university in the UAE with guidance from NCAR to determine the impact of possible rainfall increases on surface- and ground-water. Climatologically, the UAE receives most of their rainfall between December and April with a peak in February. After a test flight period in December, the initial field studies with the aircraft began on 1 January 2001 and will last through 31 March 2001.