Controlling the weather

Is technology being used to change the weather, or is it science fiction?

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How would you feel about controlling the weather? Maybe you would create a snowy day in December or make the rain vanish in summer. People have wished that they could control the weather throughout history, but is it actually possible? Scientists think that technology could help humans manage the weather, and make storms and floods less damaging. However, some people believe that shadowy groups are using secret devices to control the skies. Let's investigate this mystery and maybe let some sunshine in on this foggy subject.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Weather modification (changing the weather) is already taking place. The most popular technique is called “cloud seeding”. This is where an aeroplane flies above the clouds and sprays tiny particles of salt – often silver iodide – into the air to encourage rain or snow to form.

Clouds are made of small droplets of water that form at heights where cold temperatures turn water vapour into liquid. The droplets can be supercooled (below the freezing point of water, but still liquid). When cloud-seeding particles are added, the droplets freeze and fall out of the cloud as icy snow, or rain.