Experts from the US-based University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), which manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) are in the “detailed modelling study” phase about the effects of an artificial mountain on rainfall in UAE, as per NCAR scientist and lead researcher Roelof Bruintjes.
The agency is studying the effects of weather based on the type of mountain, it’s height and the slope. UAE has pioneered and built several artificial islands and lakes in the past, but does not have experience in mountain-building.
If the artificial mountain project materializes, moist air from the Gulf could climb up the mountainside and cool, while seeding the clouds from aircraft with eco-friendly chemicals would help create much needed rain, potentially changing the local climate.
Truth behind the Artificial Mountain Story
While the story about the artificial mountain gained popularity on global online media including yahoo, msn, reddit and the likes, there seems to be a slight misjudgment in the way the story was reported. In fact, Gulf News, the de facto voice of the UAE government even clarified that the project doesn’t have any government agency sanction.
Meanwhile global experts have clarified that UAE already has enough mountains (Hajar Mountains) that cool the air that comes from the sea into UAE.
