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Progress in weather modification research: 1979–1982
Author(s) -
Dirks Richard A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg021i005p01065
Subject(s) - weather modification , cloud seeding , predictability , environmental science , meteorology , snow , climatology , precipitation , geography , geology , physics , quantum mechanics
The 1979–1982 period began with the optimism of the Weather Modification Advisory Board (WMAB) Report (1978a) “that a useable technology for significantly enhancing rain and snow and ameliorating some weather damage is scientifically possible and within sight” and laid plans for implementing a national weather modification program. The Report also contained an important caveat “The experimental evidence for cloud‐seeding has not yet reached the levels of objectivity, respectability, and predictability required to establish new knowledge and techniques.” This warning came as a harsh reminder at the end of the quadrennium with the disappointing conclusions of such experiments as the Florida Area Cumulus Experiment (FACE) on rainfall enhancement and the Grossversuch IV hail suppression experiment in Switzerland, which were unable to demonstrate statistically significant cloud seeding effects. Finally, this period ended with national and international economic hardships bringing austerity to weather modification research programs.