What is rainmaking? Updated Encyclopedia 2025

This article is updated from ArabiaWeather in 2025 and covers everything related to rainmaking, from its definition, types, modern technologies in Saudi Arabia, and the role of artificial intelligence.

What is rainmaking?

Cloud seeding, or artificial rain, is a modern technique that aims to artificially increase rainfall from clouds.

Definition of rainmaking

Rainmaking is the process of stimulating clouds to fall rain by introducing certain materials such as:

• Silver iodide (AgI)
• dry ice (solid CO₂)
• industrial salt

How does rainmaking work?

When these materials are released into clouds, they act as "condensation nuclei" that collect water vapor and turn it into water droplets that fall as rain.

What are the types of rainmaking?

• Dry ice rainmaking: Using solid carbon dioxide to stimulate water condensation within clouds.
• Silver iodide rainmaking: It acts as a nucleus for the formation of water droplets within the cloud.
• Salt rain: Stimulates condensation of water vapor and increases rainfall.

What are the benefits of rainmaking?

• Increase water resources: support water for human and agricultural use.
• Combating desertification: increasing soil moisture and improving the agricultural environment.
• Improving agricultural production: providing a better environment for plants and crops.

What are the objectives of the National Rain Enhancement Program in Saudi Arabia?

• Increase rainfall rates in the targeted areas.
• Enhancing water security and helping meet the needs of cities and agriculture.
• Support environmental sustainability and improve desertification conditions.

What are the modern rainmaking techniques in Saudi Arabia?

• Using aircraft equipped with the latest equipment to launch materials into clouds.
• Analyzing satellite data to determine the best clouds to target.

Statistics and results of the rainmaking experiment in Saudi Arabia

• Number of flights: 415 rain-seeding flights were carried out during 2023.
• Target area: The operations covered 6 main regions, including Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Baha, and Asir.
• Volume of water used: about 4 billion cubic meters of water.
• Preliminary results indicate that cloud seeding operations contributed to increasing cloud water content, which improved rainfall rates in the targeted areas, supported agriculture, and improved soil quality.

What are the objectives of the National Rain Enhancement Program according to Vision 2030?

• Increased rainfall levels.
• Find a new source of water.
• Combating desertification and promoting afforestation.
• Qualifying specialized national cadres.

Frequently asked questions about rainmaking and brief answers

What is rainmaking?

A technique to stimulate clouds to fall rain.

How is rainmaking done?

Using materials such as silver iodide, dry ice, or industrial salt.

Is rainmaking environmentally safe?

Yes, it uses certified and environmentally safe materials.

What are the benefits of rainmaking?

Increase water, combat desertification, and improve agricultural production.

Where is rainmaking applied in Saudi Arabia?

In targeted areas to improve rainfall rates and support agriculture.