Cloud Seeding For Snow: Does It Work? Scientists Report First Quantifiable Observations
Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
For the first time, scientists have obtained direct, quantifiable observations of cloud seeding for increased snowfall -- from the growth of ice crystals, through the processes that occur in clouds, to the eventual snowfall.
[...] Throughout the Western U.S. and in other semi-arid mountain regions across the globe, water supplies are maintained primarily through snowmelt. Growing human populations place a higher demand on water, while warmer winters and earlier springs reduce snowpack and water supplies. Water managers see cloud seeding as a potential way of increasing winter snowfall.
"But no one has had a comprehensive set of observations of what really happens after you seed a cloud," says Jeff French, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Wyoming (UW) and SNOWIE principal investigator. "There have only been hypotheses. There have never been observations that show all the steps in cloud seeding."
French is the lead author of a paper reporting the results, published in today's issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Co-authors of the paper are affiliated with the University of Colorado- Boulder, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the Idaho Power Company.
[...] "This research shows that modern tools can be applied to longstanding scientific questions," says Nick Anderson, a program director in NSF's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, which funded the study. "We now have direct observations that seeding of certain clouds follows a pathway first theorized in the mid-20th century."
[...] "In the long-term, we will be able to answer questions about how effective cloud seeding is, and what conditions may be needed," says French. "Water managers and state and federal agencies can make decisions about whether cloud seeding is a viable option to add additional water to supplies from snowpack in the mountains."
(Score: 1) by Provocateur on Monday January 29 2018, @11:37AM
I would like to thank the Academy for this worthwhile pursuit of scientific knowledge =]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 29 2018, @03:22PM (4 children)
So then, on top of leeching the planet on trees and wild animals and fossil fuels, now there's research for leaching the atmospheric water cycle as well.
Well done, humanity!
(Score: 1) by khallow on Monday January 29 2018, @05:11PM (3 children)
(Score: 2) by darkfeline on Tuesday January 30 2018, @04:03AM (2 children)
I don't know of any comprehensive studies on whether or not this hurts anything. Every single time humanity has "meddled" in the "natural order" in recorded history, it has come back to bite us in our asses. Invasive species, reduction of biological diversity, ecological disruption and damage, poisoning our own water supplies, superbugs, prion diseases, air pollution, light pollution, noise pollution, earthquakes, many wasting diseases like leprosy, famine, dust storms, melting glaciers, exhausting the sand supply, garbage mountains, garbage islands, hurricanes. I'm sure I'm missing something. If I had to guess, this will have lots of unintended consequences, most of which are negative for some number of humans.
Join the SDF Public Access UNIX System today!
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday January 30 2018, @08:17AM
Why would you expect to see the examples where it doesn't happen? This is just a combination of observation and confirmation bias.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday January 30 2018, @03:57PM
Exhausting the Sand Supply??? Do you have any idea of just how much sand there is on the planet earth?!? We should also list breathing. I mean that puts out pollutants as well. Perhaps, Humans shouldn't be blamed for trying to make a living? Just like every other living thing on the planet. Except you know, we are sentient. Yes, we have a responsibility to keep our planet in as good of shape as possible. No, we don't have to apologize for living.
It really would be nice, if we had serious studies into something like this. Ones that were done by people that don't have a horse in the race. You know, other than making sure we're not screwing up the planet.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Monday January 29 2018, @05:56PM (2 children)
Will this just give back water that would normally have fallen in these areas? Will this lead to droughts in other places? What are the impacts on the environment? This seems like something that should be tested in controlled experiments, first. Instead of just sent out into the clouds. Seems like there's a bit of an uncertainty as to whether this is truly safe or not. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_seeding [wikipedia.org]
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 3, Interesting) by ilsa on Monday January 29 2018, @08:37PM
This was my first thought too.
I recall reading that China has already been involved in Cloud Seeding to improve rainfall, and as a result have cause significantly *less* rainfall in other major regions.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 29 2018, @11:49PM
One Piece. Alabasta arc.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 30 2018, @06:01AM
I thought Snow had already done his seeding, and was just looking for someone younger than him to play with.