23/08/2025
RIYADH - The Saudi Regional Cloud Seeding Program currently aims to implement its operations in six main regions such as Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Makkah, in addition to Al-Baha and Asir. It is planned to gradually expand its implementation to cover all regions of the Kingdom, based on the nature of climate studies and rainfall distribution.
August 23, 2025 — Around the world, scientists are turning to a decades-old weather modification technique to combat drought and extreme heat: cloud seeding. This process involves releasing tiny particles—often silver iodide, salt, or dry ice—into clouds to encourage the formation of raindrops or snowflakes.
The science behind it is straightforward: clouds naturally contain water v***r, but sometimes the droplets are too small to fall as rain. By providing additional particles for water to cling to, cloud seeding can speed up droplet growth and increase precipitation. The method has been used in over 50 countries, including the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
However, experts caution that cloud seeding is not a magic wand. It can enhance rainfall in suitable conditions—typically by 10–30%—but it cannot create rain from clear skies. “You need clouds to seed them,” explains Dr. Sarah Jenkins, an atmospheric scientist. “Think of it as nudging the weather, not controlling it.”
Supporters say the technique could help regions suffering from drought, improve water supplies, and even clear pollution. Critics, however, warn of high costs, uncertain long-term effects, and the potential for weather disputes if rain falls in one area at the expense of another.
Despite these debates, investment in cloud seeding is rising, with governments and private companies exploring it as part of broader climate adaptation strategies. As the planet heats up and water scarcity becomes more severe, this once obscure science may play an increasingly prominent role in weather management.
