On January 10, a medium-sizedUnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with cloud precipitation detection and artificial weather modification operation equipment took off from the foothills of the Kunlun Mountains and went straight to the clouds to carry out artificial snow enhancement operation. It marks the success of the first UAV artificial snow enhancement operation experiment carried out in the Kunlun Mountains by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Artificial Weather Modification Centre (hereinafter referred to as "the Centre") in conjunction with the Hetian Regional Meteorological Department.

UAV artificial snow enhancement operation experiment site Photoed by DONG Wenyu

Since 2024, the Centre has used large and medium-sized UAVs to carry out 23 cloud precipitation observation and artificial rain (snow) enhancement experiments in the Tianshan Mountains, Bayanbulak, Urumqi, Xinjiang. The experiment has also provided support for the study of precipitation characteristics and structure in the Kunlun Mountains and the catalytic effect of cloud seeding, further promoting the study of high-altitude cloud precipitation mechanism and the research and development of catalytic technology.

The experiment has accumulated key data for operationalizing UAV artificial weather modification in the Kunlun Mountains on a regular basis. Next, the Centre plans to carry out regular experiments in different seasons, at different altitudes and under different climatic conditions, so as to lay the foundation for the operation.

Editor: JIANG Zhiqing