In a new revelation, the US National Center for Atmospheric Research had said that under the right conditions, passenger jets, in particular during take-offs or landings, can ‘punch’ holes into clouds to induce rains or snowflakes, similar to the cloud-seeding effect.The phenomenon was first noticed when Andy Heymsfield, a scientist at the US center, who was aboard a research plane when it accidentally punched a hole into a cloud, west of the Denver Airport in 2007. Later, based on the satellite images and radar readings, it was concluded that this flight had indeed induced odd-shaped snowflakes into the city. Subsequent experiments conducted also showed similar results. Take a look at some hole-punch clouds (for long it was assumed to be the work of aliens)
Heymsfield goes on to say that the ideal conditions for such as occurrence, include the cloud layer being at a subfreezing temperature (below -15 degree Celsius) and having an up-slope of winter winds. Such conditions are more common in the Pacific Northwest and Western Europe.
Before this disclosure, weather modification experiments have long existed, though the effectiveness of the cloud-seeding process remains a topic of debate.
What is cloud-seeding?
Cloud-seeding is a method of changing the amount of precipitation from clouds by typically dispersing silver dioxide, dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide), salts or other substances.
Has India ever tried to artificially induce rain?
Yes, we have. According to this HT report, Mumbai Corporation did attempt to artificially induce rain last year by sprinkling sodium iodide over the Tansa and Modak Sagar lakes, but it didn’t work then.
Which countries are into cloud-seeding?
Many countries are, in particular those from the Middle-East. The region, which rarely witnesses rainfall, have had their governments invest heavily into various cloud-seeding research programmes. As per The National report, the government programme in the UAE owns two planes carrying sensitive equipment that releases a mixture of salts such as potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and small amounts of magnesium. This ensures that the droplets became so heavy that they fall as rain.
Does this activity have an impact on the environment?
Well, in this story by ABC News, the New South Wales government in fact plans to increase cloud-seeding as results from such programmes over the last 6 years indicate snowfalls have increased by 14 per cent without adverse environmental impacts.
Is it also possible to prevent rain using the same method?
The Chinese, who are experts in the art of ‘weather modification’, had allegedly used a technique they had mastered to not induce but to dispel clouds during the Beijing Olympics in 2008. According to this report by the LA Times, the Chinese meteorologists had been practicing their ‘rain mitigation’ techniques since 2006.
Whether one may like it or not, the world’s artificially inducing rains – a phenomenon which many scientists believe could solve water problems and even negate the influence of the monsoons. The government here, might want to look at this more keenly.
Also, the next time someone mentions that you brought the rain along, you know what could have happened.
