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Colorado Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding in Colorado has historically been used to boost the state’s ski industry. But drought could expand the strategy’s application.
Cloud seeding in Colorado has historically been used to boost the state’s ski industry. But drought could expand the strategy’s application. Photo: Brittany Peterson (AP)

Colorado has been actively modifying its local weather through cloud seeding since the 1970s. The process involves shooting silver iodide particles into the atmosphere to trigger rain or snowfall.

In 2020, the state’s cloud-seeding program contributed an estimated 326,000 gallons of water to Colorado’s snowpack. That may sound like a lot, but it’s a small percentage of what’s lacking. As drought conditions linger, though, Colorado and its western neighbors have been considering leaning even more on weather modification tech.

Experts warn that cloud seeding can’t be a solution to dry conditions on its own. Cloud seeding or not, if we don’t tackle climate change head-on, Colorado will soon be headed toward a future with half as much snow, according to an April study.

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