Understanding Artificial Rainfall: Debunking the Myths and Exploring the Science | Dubai Flooding and Climate Change

2024-04-18 04:16:59

A Porsche Taycan drives on a flooded road in Dubai. /@porsche_taycan

On the 16th, two years of heavy rain fell in Dubai, the desert country of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), causing flooding throughout the city. Some claim the unusual weather event was caused by Dubai’s artificial rainfall project, but experts are putting paid to the theory that artificial rainfall was the cause.

Artificial rain is a technology that artificially manipulates clouds to make it rain. This is a method of dispersing “cloud seeds” such as silver iodide or salt onto clouds, and cloud seeds group water droplets in clouds, causing rain or snow. The United Arab Emirates, with annual rainfall of around 90mm, has for decades experimented with artificial rainfall to solve water shortages. This sparked speculation that the cause of the heavy rains was the experience of artificial precipitation.

However, according to the Associated Press, weather and climate experts believe that while artificial precipitation can cause rain, it is difficult to cause heavy rain that could flood the city center.

Ryan Moue, former senior scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said: “I am convinced that the heavy rains in Dubai were not caused by the seeding of clouds,” he said. He continued: “Because the power of atmospheric weather is large and chaotic, sowing cloud seeds is only a very small force to create heavy rain and floods. »

In other words, cloud seeds are not a technology that causes rain to fall on dry skies, but rather act as a catalyst for already formed clouds to fall more quickly. Therefore, the amount of precipitation that can be increased through artificial precipitation technology is only the minimum amount.

Professor Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania said: “Three areas of low pressure in the Dubai area lined up like a train and moved along the jet stream. This movement of atmospheric sources continued to the Persian Gulf and led to these heavy rains. He said: “The analysis that artificial precipitation work is the cause ignores recent weather changes. »

Rescue of a cat barely clinging to the door handle of a car flooded by heavy rains in Dubai. /@ABZayed

Climatologists have also warned that these extreme rainfall events are due to climate change and that droughts and floods will become more frequent in the future due to global warming.

“Hot air can hold more moisture,” said Professor Friederikeotto of Imperial College London, UK. “As the weather warms due to climate change, precipitation is increasing around the world,” he said. He continued: “When we talk about heavy rainfall, we should talk about climate change. It is misleading to focus on artificial precipitation. »

The Associated Press reported: “Experts agree that many of those who claim to be the cause of artificial precipitation are climate change deniers. »

The UAE National Meteorological Center said: “One of the basic principles of cloud seeding is to target clouds early on, before rain occurs,” and added: “ If a severe storm situation occurs, it is too late for sowing. » and I supported the theory of the cause of artificial precipitation.

However, regions suffering from drought, such as the western United States and the United Arab Emirates, continue to invest heavily in artificial precipitation technology to obtain even a small amount of rainwater. The US state of Utah invested $2.4 million last year to address water shortages in the Colorado River and increased its budget tenfold this year.

A plane lands at Dubai airport, whose runway was flooded on the 16th (local time). /News 1

In addition, artificial precipitation is also used to improve air quality or remove dark clouds. In order to hold the 2008 Beijing Olympics in sunny weather, China sowed cloud seeds before the opening ceremony to make it rain more quickly. However, these artificial precipitation experiments also have the side effect of reducing precipitation in surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, in Dubai, at least 160 mm of rain fell on the night of the 15th to the 16th. This represents almost 18 to 24 months of rainfall in Dubai. Dozens of flights were disrupted by heavy rains and roads were flooded. Most schools have been ordered to close.

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