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Aerial cloud seeding is the process of delivering a seeding agent by aircraft, either at the cloud base or cloud top. Top seeding allows for direct injection of the seeding agent into the supercooled cloud top. Base seeding is the release of the seeding agent in the updraft of a cloud base.
Weather Modification, Inc., has been modifying and operating aircraft for cloud seeding and atmospheric research operations since 1961. We maintain and operate a fleet of more than 35 twin-engine aircraft in various configurations that meet the needs of every client.
Weather Modification, Inc., uses several models of aircraft in our own operations, although we can adapt our equipment to virtually any type of aircraft for specific customer needs. Weather Modification, Inc., has the following aircraft types in service and available at this time:
Lear 35A twin fanjet, equipped for high altitude atmospheric measurements and/or cloud seeding operations
Ceiling (ft MSL) 45,000 ft
Aerosol cloud interactions are extremely complex (e.g. IPCC AR4)
Nevertheless: The short lifetime of aerosols, the short response time of clouds to aerosol perturbations, the fact that the perturbation is to existing components of the natural system, the strong influence on climate, cost --> make cloud seeding interesting to consider as a means to geo-engineering
Assuming that this model provides insight into forcing of the climate system:
Extra-tropical clouds might play a role in the geo-engineering
Response will be non-local
Feedbacks are very important
Pristine clouds more susceptible --> Southern Hemisphere easier to brighten
Changing CDNC at higher altitudes could also play a role in forcing
Study suggests that seeding perhaps 25% of the globe would counteract much of the forcing associated with a doubling of CO2 --> quite strong local radiative forcing
Response of coupled system important to explore (feedbacks, ocean circulations, ocean ecosystems, land/ocean precipitation redistribution