Warm Season Cloud Seeding Science

The cloud-seeding process aids precipitation formation by enhancing ice crystal or raindrop production in clouds. This is accomplished by using glaciogenic (ice-forming) agents, such as silver iodide or dry ice. As seeding accelerates the precipitation process, the seeded cloud becomes a more efficient producer of precipitation.

Silver iodide and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) have been selected for their environmental safety and superior efficiency in producing ice in clouds. Aircraft-borne technologies can be used to add the particles to the clouds.

To reduce the severity of a potential hailstorm, cloud seeding is used to increase competition for cloud water through the addition of more, efficient ice nuclei, and to spread the energy released by the storm over a larger area.