What is artificial rain? If you’ve seen headlines about cloud seeding circulating on social media, you might think it sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. But the technology used to make this possible is quite simple. In fact, scientists have been making it rain (literally) since the 1940s and 50s.

The process of making artificial rain comes with many advantages, especially in times of intense and prolonged droughts. Countries worldwide deploy this technology to enhance the natural water supply to environments in need.

However, there are always drawbacks. The cloud seeding business comes with many uncertainties and potential negative consequences.

Keep reading to learn more about the fascinating and controversial topic of artificial rain, including how it both helps and hurts the environment.

Cloud seeding can squeeze more precipitation out of moisture-filled clouds.

To understand how this process works, we must first discuss how clouds naturally produce precipitation.

A cloud consists of numerous water droplets. These droplets, or ice crystals, form when atmospheric water vapor cools and condenses around particles in the air. Another word for these tiny droplets is ice nuclei, which are mandatory for forming snowflakes and raindrops.

Cloud seeding is the process of introducing ice nuclei into specific types of clouds to improve their odds of forming snow or rain. Once the seeds are in place, condensation grows, and clouds release precipitation, which falls to the Earth and sends moisture to needy places.

By using cloud seeding technology, researchers and scientists can achieve results from aircraft or generators on the ground level. There are many cloud-seeding operations around the world, and most of them use a silver iodide compound to help generate precipitation.

As a storm system moves through a project area, a silver iodide solution is released via aircraft or burned from a ground generator. When the solution reaches the clouds, it forms ice nuclei. This process does not automatically produce rain or snow. Instead, it gives the cloud a better chance of production.

Cloud seeding cannot produce clouds. It does not work unless a storm system is present, which already contains moisture-filled clouds.

There is a positive trend between cloud seeding and increased precipitation.

By 2030, more than half of the Earth’s population will live in water-stressed regions. So, the idea of having methods to create water or limit the intensity of weather, like hailstorms, is growing in popularity. But does it actually work?

While cloud seeding was tested more than 70 years ago and proven effective, evidence shows that many studies needed proper control experiments, mainly because they were difficult to study. How can one measure the amount of rain a cloud may have produced had it been untouched?

Thankfully, recent technology has made it possible to rigorously study whether cloud seeding technology lives up to the hype.

The studies showed a positive trend between cloud seeding and increased precipitation. However, they only show a small effect. Ecologists believe that cloud seeding can ultimately produce a little more snow or rain in some places.

Despite claims that cloud seeding only slightly increases the odds of precipitation, many believe it’s worth the effort.

Artificial rain can help support a healthy ecosystem. By increasing the chance of rain or snow, natural habitats affected by drought can gain much-needed relief. It also aids in preserving biodiversity in many environments.

Along with helping areas with rain deficit, cloud seeding disperses air pollution and reduces high concentrations of haze, smog, dust, and chemicals.

Aircraft releasing silver iodide into clouds expected to release large hail can shrink the hail size and reduce the likelihood of damage and injury.

Silver iodide is a toxic substance whose environmental effects are largely unknown.

The most significant drawback of cloud seeding is the unknown risk of using silver iodide, which is considered a hazardous substance.

Scientists who have measured the amount of silver iodide found in snowpack after seeding state it’s nearly impossible to detect.

But many still have concerns. If the practice of cloud seeding intensifies, it could cause adverse effects from the large amounts of toxic silver iodide. Mother nature also requires a delicate balance and any disruption to the natural precipitation process could cause unknown issues.

Countries worldwide are investing millions of dollars in weather modification to help combat drought. However, more research is needed to conclude its effectiveness and widespread impacts.

There are over 50 countries that deploy cloud-seeding projects. The most well-known include The United States, China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Mexico, and Thailand.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Fahroni/Shutterstock.com