National Center of Meteorology receives visit from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) received Her Excellency Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Acting Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), to witness presentations on the Center’s vitally important work for the nation and to discuss strengthening collaboration between the Center and EAD in the future.

With a vision to achieve excellence in meteorology and seismology and contribute to the scientific development of science in the service of the UAE’s sustainable development, NCM is the principal national source of meteorological and seismological information, a monitor of atmospheric and seismic developments, and a provider of essential meteorological services to all sectors.

During her visit, Dr Shaikha was given several presentations covering the full scope of NCM’s activities, the internationally-recognized achievements of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, and the latest results of current research and operations.

Speaking on the visit, Dr Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, Director of NCM, said: “We are honored and delighted to receive Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri at NCM today. Our Center is proud to host the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and facilitate our close cooperation on meteorological and environmental issues. By driving international efforts to advance meteorology, seismology and water security through promoting scientific best practices and international collaboration, NCM is working to fulfill the UAE Innovation Strategy’s vision of building a leading global knowledge economy in accordance with the laudable and ambitious aims of the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision.”

During her visit to the National Center for Meteorology where she learned more about the latest meteorology equipment and techniques, Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Acting Secretary General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), recognized the importance that a culture of collaboration and partnership with other local entities can have in preserving the emirate’s natural resources, as well as its contribution to EAD’s own efforts to protect the environment in Abu Dhabi.

She said: “EAD’s management of our climate, environment and natural resources has been built on a rich heritage of traditional practice and knowledge accumulated over many years. In order to sustain the impressive rate of our national development, it is vital that we amplify our efforts to live in harmony with nature through a focus on innovation, as well as the encouragement of youth to play their full part in vital activities that care for our environment, aid understanding of our climate, and protect biodiversity and natural resources.”

Since its inauguration in 2007 by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, NCM has played a leading role in the study of local and regional climatic and environmental phenomena. The Center is responsible for collecting meteorological data, monitoring and analyzing changes that occur in the atmosphere, and providing general meteorological services for the benefit of the concerned authorities in the UAE. In terms of research, NCM exchanges information with international organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to stay abreast of new scientific research and developments in meteorology, hydrology and seismology.

NCM also oversees the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, which has already attained a leading global position in the common quest to strengthen water security through innovative research. Building on the Program’s successes to date, NCM is currently leading a series of intensive field campaigns across the UAE to further build knowledge of precipitation processes and how new innovations can increase rainfall. These initiatives will see the testing of new cloud seeding materials, the introduction of the most advanced new planes, drones, balloons and radiosondes, and the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art ‘weather enhancement factory’.

In order to fulfill its mandate to monitor meteorological phenomena, NCM has established a national network of 73 automatic weather stations (AWOS) for weather monitoring six weather radars covering all of the UAE, and one upper air station. The Center has also created databases and helped develop high precision Numerical Weather Predictions and simulation software in the UAE. At present, NCM operates nine Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft stationed at Al Ain Airport equipped with the latest technologies and devices needed for cloud seeding and atmospheric research.

Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of local ecosystems. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, EAD embraces international best practice and innovation to institute effective policy measures. The Agency seeks to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of the UAE’s national agenda.