Have you ever wondered how something works or how something was made? In the monthly Science Behind series, we partner with a guest presenter to explore a large variety of interesting topics. The Science Behind series offers opportunities for adults to apply new knowledge and skills to everyday life, while having fun!
** This Science Behind event took place in April, 2015 **
The Science Behind Cloud Seeding and Weather Modification
Cloud seeding, also known as weather modification, is a topic many of us know very little about, and there is a lot of mystery surrounding it. No, cloud seeding is not an urban legend, it really does exist, but it does not create “chemtrails” in the sky, either. Come to Walking Mountains Science Center on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30PM to learn about what cloud seeding is, how it’s done, why it’s done, and how it affects us locally.
Weather modification uses technology to enhance a cloud’s ability to produce precipitation. It can be used to increase rainfall, but in the West is more often used to increase the winter snowpack so that to ensure a plentiful spring runoff. It is also used in some regions to mitigate hail storms and disperse fog. Our two guest presenters will bring a wide variety of knowledge and experience to explain what cloud seeding was historically and what it is today.
Joe Busto is a native Coloradan. He works for the Colorado Water Conservation Board and has run the state's weather modification permitting program since 2002. In addition to winter cloud seeding he is also interested in snow science projects in Colorado. He helps fund the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies Dust on Snow research and he currently has a NOAA mobile radar creating precipitation estimates and NASA aerial snow observatory (airplane) mapping snow in Alamosa this winter. He has also deployed a radiometer in Eagle-Vail and is collecting cloud data to characterize cloud seeding potential at Vail and Beaver Creek.
The Wyoming Water Development Commission sponsored a nine-year, $14M research experiment to prove if cloud seeding works or not. Joe Busto will also highlight the results of that study which was just completed at the end of 2014.
Dr. Ed Holroyd is an atmospheric research scientist and adjunct professor at the University of Denver. He trained under Dr. Vincent Schaefer, the founder of modern cloud seeding techniques. Dr. Holroyd developed his own “Instant Snowstorm” demonstration, which he will bring to Walking Mountains for participants to see. This demonstration will allow participants to see how cloud seeding was originally discovered by scientists in the 1940’s.
Please call Walking Mountains to join this high-tech program on a fascinating topic that has a great impact on our water resources in the West. The Science Behind series of classes highlights useful and fun skills that have underlying scientific principles. Each class provides a hands-on, interactive component with instruction from a local subject matter expert. Classes are held once a month at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon.
If you go…
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 | 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: Walking Mountains Science Center
How Much: Free, $5 suggested donation. Reservations required.
The Science Behind Series is made possible by Vail Honeywagon Enterprises, Inc.
