The UAE is currently experiencing one of the hottest Aprils in over a decade, with temperatures soaring to 46.6°C on April 26 — just shy of the national record of 46.9°C set in Al Ruwais back in 2012. According to Dr. Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), this extreme heat is due to a thermal low-pressure system extending from the Arabian Desert, bringing warm southerly winds and intense heat, especially across internal regions.

In addition to the soaring temperatures, the country has seen a noticeable drop in rainfall this year compared to 2024. Despite the UAE’s continued efforts to enhance precipitation through its ambitious cloud seeding programme, rainfall levels remain significantly lower. Meteorology expert Ahmed El Kamali from the NCM attributes this change to a global weather phenomenon involving cooler ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific and changes in tropical atmospheric patterns. “Last year, we had extreme weather conditions in the UAE, but this year has been relatively quiet,” he said.

Even with the decline in natural rainfall, cloud seeding operations remain in full swing. So far in 2025, the UAE has conducted 110 cloud seeding missions. In 2024, a record-breaking 388 operations were carried out, and that number could be matched again this year if more seedable clouds appear, particularly during the summer and winter seasons.

The UAE’s cloud seeding programme involves a fleet of four aircraft and 12 dedicated pilots who carry out missions based on real-time radar data. “We even conduct night flights,” El Kamali shared, noting that the radar system covers the entire UAE and neighboring areas to identify ideal cloud conditions. Under favorable weather, cloud seeding can increase rainfall by up to 25%, and around 15% in dustier environments.

Most seedable clouds in the UAE form during the winter months from December to March. However, summer operations also take place from June to September, mainly focusing on the eastern and northern regions like Fujairah, Massafi, and Al Ain. Occasionally, operations also target southern areas such as Liwa and Hameem.

Looking ahead, the NCM expects more cloud development in the mountainous eastern regions of the UAE during the summer, driven by seasonal monsoon activity and related convective weather patterns. With rising temperatures and evolving weather systems, the UAE continues to adapt through science and innovation to manage its climate challenges.