weathermodification

Weather modification is the intentional alteration of atmospheric conditions to achieve practical benefits, such as increasing precipitation, dispersing fog, reducing hail, or mitigating the effects of severe weather. The most widely used technique is cloud seeding, which introduces particles such as silver iodide, dry ice, or salt into clouds to promote condensation and precipitation. Other methods include fog dispersal for aviation safety and, less commonly, attempts to influence storm development or wind patterns.

Historically, efforts began in the mid-20th century. Notable programs include Operation Stormfury, a U.S. project in the 1960s aimed at weakening hurricanes through targeted seeding; results were inconclusive, and the program was terminated. Cloud seeding has been deployed in various countries to augment rainfall or alleviate drought, support agriculture, or reduce hail damage. Contemporary practice emphasizes scientific evaluation, operational monitoring, and risk assessment rather than speculative outcomes.

Effectiveness in weather modification is contested and highly contingent on existing atmospheric conditions. Small, regionally variable gains in precipitation have been reported in some cases, but results are not consistently reproducible. Potential environmental and social side effects include changes in hydrological regimes, downstream impacts, and ethical concerns about consent and equity, particularly when actions affect neighboring regions.

Regulation and governance differ by country. The ENMOD Convention (1977) prohibits weather-modification techniques for hostile use, and many nations require permits, environmental impact assessments, and transparent reporting. Ongoing research focuses on improving understanding of atmospheric processes, improving predictive capability, and evaluating risks, with weather modification seen as a niche tool for drought relief, aviation safety, and risk reduction rather than a general solution to climate-related challenges.