Effects of Feeder Cloud Merging on Storm Development in Saudi Arabia

This study has documented the radar derived characteristics of cumulonimbus (Cb) clouds during merging with feeder cells, both in their natural state, and those that were seeded using silver iodide (AgI), over the Asir region of southwest Saudi Arabia. These clouds represent a valuable source of water for the KSA. The period analyzed was June to September 2008. A total of 68 cases of merging were investigated on 31 days. They included 53 naturally developing clouds and 15 clouds that were seeded. It was confirmed that merging has a strong effect on storm development. Data analysis shows that an increase in maximum reflectivity, storm mass, and precipitation flux, were observed after merging. The effects of the seeding were within the range of natural variability of the non-seeded merging effects.