With cloud seeding, small particles of silver iodide, a salt with a crystalline structure similar to that of ice, are added to clouds.
Cloud seeding is basically 'weather modification' that increases precipitation. The premise is to mix a harmless chemical, silver iodide, into a
A DRI researcher working on a cloud-seeding generator perched in the Sierra Nevada mountains. An old C-45 plane in 1966 that DRI researchers used to seed clouds. *Above: An old Beechcraft C-45 plane that DRI researchers used to seed clouds in 1966. His focus on the behavior of ice in the atmosphere led to the discovery of a key mechanism for the transition of water molecules into ice, which is now known as the “Hallett-Mossop ice multiplication mechanism.” DRI continues to be a leader in cloud-seeding efforts and research around the Western U.S. A comprehensive review of available research published in 2019 concluded “clear physical evidence has been obtained that orographic clouds containing supercooled water, when seeded with silver iodide, produce plumes of ice particles that originate downwind of the seeding location and reach the ground through precipitation growth and fallout.”. No. DRI’s cloud-seeding program supplements the precipitation in existing storms, which can help alleviate the impacts of drought in targeted areas.
Experts say cloud seeding generally yields a 5% to 15% increase in precipitation. It's no cure for drought, but cloud seeding can be an
Desperate for water, several Western states have expanded decades-old programs to increase precipitation through cloud seeding, a method of weather modification that entails releasing silver iodide particles or other aerosols into clouds to spur rain or snowfall. In the U.S. West, the need for water is so acute and cloud seeding so cheap that even a very slight increase in precipitation is worth it, says Friedrich. Cloud seeding operators submit annual reports to states estimating additional precipitation caused by their efforts, often claiming hundreds of thousands of additional acre-feet, but “it’s kind of crude,” says Eric Hjermstad, who runs Western Weather Consultants, a cloud seeding company that manages several seeding operations in Colorado. Cloud seeding costs money, but the cost is relatively low compared to the value of water, even if the reports overstate increased precipitation, proponents say. “Cloud seeding may be putting the clouds back to a more efficient state where they may have been prior to humans,” he says.
# Climate change mitigation through weather modification: cloud seeding as a global case study. Climate change mitigation through weather modification global case study..png"). Rain Enhancement, also known as cloud seeding, offers a sustainable source of fresh water by enhancing rainfall from specific clouds under specific conditions. Weather modification, specifically Rain Enhancement and cloud seeding technologies, plays a crucial role in the broader context of climate change mitigation and building climate resilience. By enhancing our capacity to optimize rainfall and manage water resources more effectively, we take strides toward addressing climate change-induced water scarcity. This event, hosted by the UAE National Center of Meteorology (NCM), will feature a diverse array of speakers, including experts and researchers from global entities like the WMO's Weather Modification Expert Team, the US Weather Modification Association, the European Geosciences Union (EGU), as well as NCM and its UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP).
Cloud seeding allows water managers to boost the amount of snow that falls from certain storms. While the Colorado River District’s primary goal in participating in cloud seeding is to increase our water supply, cloud seeding has secondary benefits: improving snow conditions for winter recreation, such as skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, and improving runoff conditions that benefit summer recreation such as rafting and fishing. The Colorado River District manages the Central Colorado Mountain River Basin cloud seeding program, which operates along the northern and central Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Precipitation forms when water droplets in clouds condense on a nucleus made up of tiny particles of dust, salt or smoke, when enough water condenses onto a nucleus, the water becomes heavy enough to fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet or hail. In the Central Colorado Mountain River Basin cloud seeding program, a small amount of silver iodide particles are sprayed across a flame emitted from a propane generator.
* Federal reporting requirements may not include all information necessary to adequately monitor cloud seeding. 23) *For example, NOAA could use its existing authority to work with other government entities, researchers, and operators to update required data for reporting, and make changes to improve standardization of annual reports.* | * Better quality and transparency of information would improve broad understanding of cloud seeding. 24) *For example, government entities, industry associations, scientific societies, researchers, and operators could promote awareness of the distinction between long-term climate or geoengineering applications and short-term cloud seeding to alter local precipitation.* | * Better understanding of definitions and differences can inform debate about potential risks and benefits of cloud seeding. This report discusses (1) the emerging and current technologies for cloud seeding (and weather modification generally), (2) the potential benefits of cloud seeding, (3) challenges surrounding the use and development of cloud seeding, and (4) policy options that may help address challenges or enhance benefits of cloud seeding.