Cloud seeding does not seem to be an effective action to alleviate drought, not only because of its low effectiveness but also because it
Most scientific studies aimed at evaluating the effects of seeding cumulus clouds have shown little to no effect. However, the results of
# Efficacy analysis of cloud seeding program in Kansas agriculture. Cloud seeding, a weather modification technology, has been adopted for hail suppression in more than 50 countries since the 1970s. While existing research predominantly focuses on assessing the impact of cloud seeding on hailstone size or storm frequency, its effects on crop damage and productivity remain understudied. This study evaluates the effectiveness of cloud seeding in Kansas using county-level data from 2002 to 2020, considering a broader set of measurements: hail size, hail frequency, crop damage, crop yields, and potential downwind effects. The findings reveal that cloud seeding reduces hailstone size in target areas but does not significantly decrease crop damage from hail or drought. Additionally, cloud seeding enhances corn productivity in target areas but negatively affects sorghum productivity in downwind regions, suggesting potential spillover effects. By integrating agricultural and economic outcomes, this study provides new evidence to guide policy decisions on cloud seeding for hail suppression. ## Data availability.
# Evaluation of Cloud Seeding Techniques for Precipitation Enhancement. *This study explores the effectiveness of cloud seeding in augmenting precipitation levels, with a focus on silver iodide as a seeding agent. Drawing from diverse geographical contexts, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and African countries, the study examines the varying patterns of precipitation and the potential for cloud seeding to address water scarcity challenges. Through a systematic evaluation of cloud seeding methods, the study found that silver iodide significantly increased precipitation in targeted areas, particularly during specific cloud types and favorable meteorological conditions. Practical implications extend to informing water resource managers and policymakers on optimal cloud seeding techniques for specific outcomes, such as snowpack enhancement and agricultural water management. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive evaluation of cloud seeding techniques, offering insights into theory, practice, and policy for enhancing precipitation and addressing water scarcity challenges.*. **FortWorth Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishers**.
Based on its findings, Stanford University ecologist Jerry Bradley said: "I think you can squeeze out a little more snow or rain in some places under some conditions, but that's quite different from a program claiming to reliably increase precipitation." Data similar to that of the NAS study was acquired in a separate study conducted by the Wyoming Weather Modification Pilot Project, but whereas the NAS study concluded that "it is difficult to show clearly that cloud seeding has a very large effect", the WWMPP study concluded that "seeding could augment the snowpack by a maximum of 3% over an entire season.". In 2016, Jeff Tilley, director of weather modification at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, claimed that new technology and research has produced reliable results that make cloud seeding a dependable and affordable water supply practice for many regions. **^** "Weather Modification Association (WMA) Position on the Environmental Impact of using Silver Iodide as a Cloud Seeding Agent" (PDF).
Most commonly used to increase precipitation as a drought management technique, cloud seeding is also regularly used to clear fog in airports,
* 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.
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.