110 Cloud-Seeding Missions Carried Out Across the UAE in 2026

A total of 110 cloud-seeding missions have been carried out across the UAE so far in 2026, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), with rainfall forecast for eastern and southern parts of the country on August 3rd and 4th.

The NCM said cloud-seeding flights are conducted throughout the year whenever weather conditions are suitable. The process does not create clouds; instead, aircraft introduce small particles into existing convective clouds to encourage more water droplets to form and fall as rain.

Meteorologists identify suitable clouds using radar, satellite imagery and weather stations, selecting cloud cells with strong upward air movement. Aircraft then fly near the cloud base and release potassium chloride and sodium chloride particles from wing-mounted flares. The salts attract water, allowing droplets to grow until they become heavy enough to fall as rainfall. According to the NCM, only clouds that already contain sufficient moisture are seeded.

The programme operates four Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft for cloud seeding and atmospheric research, supported by 75 automatic weather stations and six radar stations that monitor cloud development and guide flight paths in real time. While winter operations can target broader cloud systems, summer missions are typically concentrated over the eastern mountains and southern inland areas, with ground generators also used to release salt particles into mountain clouds.

According to the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, cloud seeding can increase rainfall potential by up to 20% in suitable clouds. Current research is focused on artificial intelligence, advanced seeding materials and autonomous aircraft, including a project launched in June 2026 that uses AI to design and test new ice-forming materials.