Cloud Seeding

[grassfarmer]

On researching this further on the internet there seem to be widely conflicting views on the subject. It's an interesting one though.
"http://www.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg18624952.000" is an interesting read about the process in China and South Africa.

[silverback]

The result of seeding thunderclouds as I understand it is to start the release of the moisture sooner and to disrupt the formation of the extremely high "tops" on the thunderclouds that allow for hailstones to travel very high and build bigger and bigger. They are trying to produce smaller softer hailstones that will not damage cars and shingles. We did see some big hail storms last year east of Calgary, so I guess they can't stop them all, but on average over the last few years the storms that you can see brewing in the west country kinda fizzle out for 10 to 20 miles before the heat and moisture builds up again and away they go.

My main point is this - If I know I am at a risk of getting hail, I can buy hail insurance and manage my risk.

I cannot buy rain.

Without the normal rainfall that we should get, I am at a disadvantage to all the areas that are not experiencing this effect.

Perhaps a few less farmers is a good trade off for some?