Multi-Source Observational Evidence for Cloud Seeding Potential in Cyprus

Cyprus faces mounting pressure on freshwater resources from climate change, recurrent drought, and rising demand. This study evaluates the feasibility of a rain enhancement program through cloud seeding, integrating long-term rain gauge records (1991–2024), lightning climatology (2021–2025), and local X-band weather radar data (30 October 2024–4 January 2025) to quantify the frequency and characteristics of seedable clouds. Rain gauge analysis shows mean monthly rainfall exceeding 20 mm during October to April, with up to 16 rainfall events per month, indicating ample seeding opportunities. Lightning records show between 40–60 annual average thunderstorm occurrences, peaking in December (~10 days) along the Troodos Mountains in the central region and Limassol-Akrotiri in the south. Radar data analysis confirms the presence of both glaciogenic (≥25 dBZ at 5 km MSL) and hygroscopic (≥10 dBZ with ≥4 km depth) seedable cloud structures, with hotspots over the Troodos orography, southern plains, and maritime inflow zone. The combined results support the viability of an initial 7-month (October–April) cloud seeding program demonstration, integrated within a scientific framework, as a complementary and cost-effective freshwater augmentation tool for Cyprus.