Montana Ag Network: Could cloud seeding in the Big Hole Watershed benefit the Treasure State’s agriculture?

Cloud seeding offers promising avenues for Montana’s agriculture, potentially increasing crucial water supplies through enhanced snowpack and rainfall, while also mitigating devastating hail damage to crops. A recent feasibility study in southwestern Montana suggests significant potential for this technology to bolster the state’s water security, supporting a more resilient agricultural future.

Wintertime Cloud Seeding Feasibility Study Complete

A recently completed feasibility study by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) highlights the significant potential of wintertime cloud seeding to enhance mountain snowpack in southwest Montana. This promising research suggests that cloud seeding could substantially increase water availability, offering a vital boost to the state’s agricultural sector and overall water security.

Weather modification operations to state in Slope, Bowman Counties

Weather modification operations are commencing in Slope and Bowman Counties, North Dakota, as part of the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project (NDCMP). This initiative aims to positively impact the region’s agriculture by reducing hail damage and enhancing rainfall, thereby supporting improved crop yields and a more stable farming environment.

Fewer storms reduced Idaho Power’s cloud seeding last season

Fewer storms during the last season led to a reduction in Idaho Power’s cloud seeding operations, impacting their efforts to enhance snowpack and water resources. The limited storm activity meant less opportunity for the utility to conduct cloud seeding and supplement water supplies for hydropower and other uses.

Snowflakes, Death Threats, and Dollar Signs: Cloud Seeding is at a Crossroads

Cloud seeding, a practice for increasing water supplies in drought-stricken regions, faces a crossroads due to public skepticism, disputes over its effectiveness, and even threats against proponents. Despite its potential to address water scarcity, the technology continues to navigate significant social and scientific challenges.

How much is rain worth? Nevada lawmakers weigh continued funding for Desert Research Institute’s cloud seeding program

Nevada lawmakers are considering continued funding for the Desert Research Institute’s cloud seeding program, which has successfully enhanced precipitation and added significant snowmelt to key watersheds. This initiative is viewed as a vital long-term strategy for managing the state’s precious water resources in an arid climate.

Wyoming was once a pioneer in cloud seeding. Now, the future is uncertain

Wyoming, a historical leader in cloud seeding, now faces an uncertain future for its program due to legislative debates over funding and safety concerns. Despite scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in increasing snowpack and the efforts of proponents to secure its continuation, the program’s long-term viability remains contested.

How drones could be the future in boosting Utah’s precipitation

Utah is pioneering the use of drones for cloud seeding, a more cost-effective, safer, and precise method to enhance precipitation across the state. These innovative drone operations are part of Utah’s significantly increased investment in cloud seeding, which has already boosted precipitation by 6% to 12% over the past 30 years, contributing substantial additional water to the state’s streams and reservoirs.

Utah leaders want to keep expanding cloud seeding program

Utah leaders are strongly advocating for the expansion of cloud seeding programs, viewing them as a cost-effective and vital strategy for augmenting the state’s water supply, particularly for the Great Salt Lake. With a history of increasing precipitation by 5-15% in seeded areas, this initiative is seen as a key component of long-term water management.

Did cloud Seeding reduce Canada’s costliest hailstorm damage?

Experts suggest cloud seeding can reduce hailstone size by distributing water across more, smaller hailstones, with studies on multiple seeded storms showing a measurable effect on hail size and impact area.

Cloud Seeding Part 4: Clearing the air – myths and misconceptions

This article from the Utah Division of Water Resources debunks common myths about cloud seeding, affirming that silver iodide is environmentally safe at deployed concentrations and that the process does not “steal” water from downwind areas. Instead, it explains how cloud seeding enhances precipitation efficiency, potentially leading to increased rainfall even for neighboring regions.

Cloud Seeding Part 3: How Utah ensures safe and best practices

Utah ensures the safety and effectiveness of its cloud seeding program through strict regulations, requiring permits and licenses for operators with specific meteorological qualifications. The program, administered by the Utah Division of Water Resources, utilizes decades of research and adheres to American Society of Engineers standards to responsibly enhance snowfall and water supplies.

Cloud Seeding Part 2: Why Utah’s skies are ideal for cloud seeding

Utah’s unique skies are ideal for cloud seeding due to a combination of natural aerosol influences, terrain that enhances cloud growth, and the state’s significant reliance on snowpack for 95% of its water resources. These factors create optimal conditions for cloud seeding to efficiently increase precipitation and bolster water supplies.

Cloud Seeding Part 1: Science in the sky – an intro to cloud seeding

The article “Cloud Seeding Part 1: Science in the sky — an intro to cloud seeding – Utah Division of Water Resources” provides a foundational understanding of cloud seeding as a weather modification technique. It explains how this process enhances a cloud’s natural ability to produce ice by introducing seeding agents like silver iodide into existing clouds with supercooled liquid water, which then grow into precipitation.

Montana Ag Network: Is cloud seeding the answer to improving Montana’s snowpack?

A feasibility study by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is exploring if cloud seeding can boost Montana’s snowpack and water supply, particularly in the southwest. While proponents see potential for increased water availability vital for agriculture, the broader question of its overall effectiveness and environmental impacts remains a subject of scientific debate and legislative decision.

Snow scientists say cloud seeding has big potential

Snow scientists and a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report indicate that cloud seeding holds significant potential to increase precipitation, particularly snow, in drought-stricken regions like the Colorado River Basin. While more data is needed to fully quantify its effectiveness and justify broader investment, advocates emphasize its immediate value as a tool to boost water supplies. Snow scientists believe cloud seeding has significant potential to increase snowpack and precipitation in drought-affected areas, despite a need for more comprehensive data on its exact efficacy. This technology is seen as a promising tool to augment water supplies, particularly for regions relying on mountain snowmelt.

Insurance companies fund Alberta hail suppression program

Insurance companies in Alberta are privately funding a unique hail suppression program to reduce property damage and insurance claims, a proactive measure they revived after the government ceased operations decades ago. This program utilizes cloud seeding with silver iodide to reduce hailstone size, proving a cost-effective strategy for mitigating catastrophic losses in the region.

Cloud Seeding Technology: Assessing Effectiveness and Other Challenges

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report assesses cloud seeding, noting its potential to increase precipitation by 0-20% and aid in drought mitigation, but highlights challenges like a lack of data and limited suitable cloud conditions. The report suggests policy options to improve monitoring, research, and public understanding of this decades-old technology.

Fact check: Debunking weather modification claims

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a Fact Check document, debunking weather modification claims that have been circulating recently. Check it out!