SHANGHAI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Artificial rain suppression equipment is primed and ready for use if needed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2007 Special Olympics, weather experts said.

The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau has been preparing the project since August, with the cooperation of the air force and civil aviation authorities.

The rain-suppression group working for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has also lent a hand, according to the official website of the 2007 Special Olympics.

"According to our forecast, the rain probability on October 2 is 36 percent," said Huang Jiaxin, vice director of the Meteorological Support Group of the Games' steering committee.

"We checked the weather for October 2 in recent years, finding a consistent record of rain, particularly last October 2 when we had heavy falls."

Thirteen launching sites for rain-suppression rockets have been established in the surrounding provinces, eight sites in Suzhou, Wuxi and Nantong in Jiangsu Province, while another five are in Huzhou, Zhuji and Shengzhou in Zhejiang Province.

Besides the weather watch, the bureau will also provide a series of services for the Special Olympics athletes.