Objectives of OCAL

Research Approach, Objectives, and Hypotheses

This project has two overarching goals:

I.    Providing the UAE with unique modeling and observational capabilities for improving cloud process understanding, forecasting, and cloud seeding guidance 

II. Studying the effect of land surface modifications on the initiation and amplification of precipitation over the UAE

We will achieve new insights in cloud and precipitation physics by research of the pre-convective environment and convection initiation (CI) using a combination of new clear-air remote sensing systems, high-resolution ensemble modeling, and land surface modifications. An essential part is the development and application of a unique data assimilation (DA) component in the model.

For three reasons, we are focusing on cloud systems over the desert and the mountain regions in the summer season: This is a particularly water scarce time period, successful forecasting of small-scale processes will also lead to improved performance for other seasons, and land surface modifications have the strongest effects.    

This project will contribute to both major goals of the UAE Research Program. It will advance the science, technology, and implementation of rain enhancement and will contribute to an increase of water security through a combination of geoengineering and weather modification techniques. In order to achieve a sustainable impact, knowledge transfer, capacity building, and a strengthening of the involvement of industry are also key aspects of this proposal.

In order to achieve these goals, this project has two research components (RCs). The first component RCI focuses on the advanced detection and forecasting of convergence zones and CI using a combination of three new tools. The second component RCII will study whether artificial modification of the land surface, e.g., using large-scale plantations and changes of terrain will lead to an amplification of convergence zones in the UAE.