Objective
Conducting a feasibility study for rainfall enhancement via cloud seeding.
The feasibility study utilizes the latest technologies that have been developed
in this field and include a 5 month field program over the period from November
2006 through March 2007. This covers the cool season when clouds occur most
frequently over the northern Ar Riyad, Al Qasim, and Ha'il regions of Saudi
Arabia.
Description
Scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Texas A&M University (TAMU), and Weather Modification Inc. of Fargo, North Dakota (WMI) will collaborate to perform the following: cloud and rainfall climatology studies; integration of past studies; airborne chemistry, aerosol, and cloud physics measurements; assessment and enhancement of weather radar capabilities (additional hardware and software for collection of quantitative data); analyses of field data; and numerical modeling work. These efforts will build on the experience obtained in programs in other parts of the world.
AIRCRAFT OBSERVATIONS
The objective will be to document the microphysics and dynamics of both natural and seeded clouds using two aircraft instrumented for air chemistry and cloud physics measurements: a Piper Cheyenne II and a Learjet. In addition, two seeding aircrafts (Piper Cheyenne II) will be employed along with the weather radars. The aerosol and cloud physics aircraft will collect data in the target clouds both prior to and following cloud seeding; these research aircraft will also be used for seeding.
RADAR
The characteristics of the rainstorms will be monitored by radar to understand: (1) the large-scale organization of the storms, (2) their frequency of occurrence and spatial distribution around the area of study, and (3) the temporal history, sizes, and intensities of individual storms and rain events.
This website provides real-time displays from radars deployed in three locations in central Saudi Arabia. View radar information and data.
REAL-TIME FORECAST SUPPORT
Guidance for the aircraft observations is provided by the
radar network in Saudi Arabia as well as a real-time
forecast model run at NCAR/RAL.
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Project Sponsor: |
Project Partners: |
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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
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