Abu Dhabi-UAE: 3 February 2026 - The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) participated in the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), held in Houston, Texas, from 25 to 29 January 2026. The meeting brought together leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest advances in atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic sciences. During the event, the UAEREP delegation held a series of strategic stakeholder meetings and conducted visits to several prominent universities across Texas such as the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University, reinforcing academic and research cooperation and exploring opportunities for future collaboration in weather modification and climate science. Awardees from the third, fourth, and fifth cycles of UAEREP made a significant contribution to the scientific program of AMS 2026. These included Dr. Lulin Xue, Prof. Daniel Rosenfeld, Prof. Will Cantrell, and members of their respective research teams, who delivered scientific presentations across multiple conference sessions, highlighting UAEREP-supported research and its significant role advancing the understanding of cloud microphysics, aerosol-cloud interactions, and precipitation enhancement. His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Director General of the National Center of Meteorology, said: “As an international platform that convenes stakeholders from around the world, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science is committed to supporting the advancement and practical application of weather modification technologies in contribution to global water security. Participation in major international scientific forums such as AMS Annual Meeting strengthens this commitment by enhancing UAEREP’s collaboration with leading research institutions and scientific experts, enabling the exchange of knowledge, informed scientific dialogue, and the showcasing of the UAE’s progress in rain enhancement research.”
For her part, Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP and Director of the Research and Weather Enhancement Department at the National Center of Meteorology, said: “UAEREP’s engagement at the AMS 2026 Annual Meeting offered an important opportunity to highlight the outcomes of UAEREP‑supported projects and to interact with the global scientific community on our future initiatives, including the seventh cycle of the program and the eighth International Rain Enhancement Forum. The conference provided a valuable setting to exchange knowledge, understand emerging regional and international research approaches, and further strengthen UAEREP’s position as a regional reference in rain enhancement science, while also fostering new partnerships and avenues for future collaboration.” On the sidelines of the conference, UAEREP delegation met with Dr. Ehsan Erfani, Research Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the Desert Research Institute, to discuss recent progress in cloud microphysics and aerosol-cloud interactions. The discussions addressed opportunities for collaboration aimed at improving severe weather forecasting and climate modeling, with a particular focus on applications relevant to arid and semi-arid regions. The UAEREP delegation also met with Dr. Greg McFarquhar, Director of the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High Impact Weather Research and Operations at the University of Oklahoma, to explore collaboration on cloud microphysical processes and aerosol impacts on cloud water and energy budgets, including the integration of advanced instrumentation and modeling approaches relevant to precipitation enhancement in arid environments. In addition, UAEREP held discussions with Prof. Youtong Zheng, Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Houston, to exchange views on recent advances in cloud physics modeling and their role in climate prediction and adaptation. The meeting explored potential joint research initiatives aimed at strengthening understanding of cloud-climate interactions and their implications for regional weather systems.
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