Initiatives and Projects

Initiative to Increase the Geographical Coverage of Monitoring Stations (Surface and Upper Air) and Remote Sensing

The initiative aims to increase the geographical coverage of the Kingdom from 32% to 70% by increasing the number of measurement and monitoring stations for surface and upper air, expanding the remote sensing network using weather radar, floating marine stations, and upper air observation stations. This aims to collect comprehensive data on natural hazards and phenomena, measure rainfall, and monitor valleys for floods, enhancing early warning capabilities for such hazards and phenomena. It also reduces the resulting risks and threats.

Initiative to establish a climate change center

The initiative aims to deal with the increasing challenges facing the Arabian Peninsula in the field of climate change and help develop climate information to provide contribution plans for the Kingdom at the national, regional and global levels. This is through establishing a climate change center that works on research and development in several areas, most notably the creation of advanced regional climate models dedicated to the Arabian Peninsula, and participates in research related to adaptation to climate change, and supports the Green Saudi Arabia and Green Middle East initiatives.

Initiative to Establish the Regional Center for Early Warning of Storms (Dust/Sandstorms)

The initiative aims to study and analyze weather data and provide early warning for dust and sandstorms. This will be achieved by establishing and operating a center specialized in managing data and information related to dust and sand phenomena, preparing short- and long-term studies and forecasts on these phenomena, and assessing their impacts on various sectors in the Kingdom. The initiative also supports the development and implementation of the national adaptation plan through research and analysis of decadal changes in dust/sandstorm phenomena and their correlation with climate change. Additionally, it includes the implementation of a monitoring system for dust and sandstorm phenomena in Saudi Arabia, following the expansion of meteorological station coverage.

Initiative to Develop Numerical Model Systems to Improve the Accuracy of Weather Forecasts for Atmospheric Phenomena and Natural Hazards

The initiative aims to enhance the analytical capabilities of the National Center for Meteorology to increase the accuracy of 3-day weather forecasts from 60% to 90%, as well as extend forecast validity from 3 days to 10 days with 80% accuracy. This is achieved through the development of three numerical models and a real-time prediction system that analyzes data received from meteorological stations distributed across the Kingdom. The system processes and analyzes this data to generate short-term weather forecasts, long-term climate projections, and severe weather warnings.

Initiative to Develop a Meteorological Information System and Early Warning for Weather Conditions

Cloud Seeding Program

The Cloud Seeding Program is one of the key initiatives resulting from the Green Middle East Summit, which was announced by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of the Kingdom, in 2021, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.