Wyoming Research Shows Cloud Seeding Increases Snowpack

New research in Wyoming finds that cloud seeding can increase mountain snowfall by up to 15 percent a year.

In addition, the state-funded research suggests cloud seeding has negligible environmental effects – and almost no effect on precipitation in surrounding areas.

Governments around the world and some U.S. states conduct cloud seeding to wring more rain and snow from the sky. But some question its effectiveness and potential environmental threats.

Wyoming spent about $13 million over nearly 10 years to determine whether seeding clouds during snowstorms can increase snowpack in several mountain ranges. Scientists, academics and engineers presented their findings Wednesday.

Their findings will be presented to the American Meteorological Society annual meeting next month in Phoenix.