The Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Weathercord, a High Output Cloud Seeding Device

Abstract

Weathereord, a 40-grain detonating fuse containing about 20 per cent of silver iodide, has been evaluated as a cloud seeding nuclei generator in the laboratory, in the field, and in aircraft cloud seeding. Comparative data on the output efficiencies of several types of silver iodide generators are presented and show that, as a dispersal system, Weathercord provides in unit time and unit volume the highest concentration of nuclei available from any known source. The tests in supercooled logs at Yellowstone National Park and two test cases of the seeding from aircraft of orographic cumuli are also described. Although of a preliminary nature these field tests suggest the effectiveness of the large concentrations of AgI nuclei, generated by Weathercord, in modifying relatively thin supercooled clouds.