 Poster: A snowHead
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The arcane science of cloud-seeding - through the use of silver iodide particles - to induce rainfall or snowfall is of interest to ski resorts which devote large annual budgets to snowmaking.
This interesting article from today's Rocky Mountain News focuses on the use of cloud-seeding and snowmaking in Colorado, where several resorts split their budgets between the two processes. Consider this quote:
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| It costs roughly $60,000 per resort for a season-long cloud-seeding program, which started Monday at Beaver Creek and Vail. By comparison, Vail spends $1 million a year to make snow mechanically and consumes 120 million gallons of water in the process. Beaver Creek spends $1.6 million on snowmaking, according to Jensen. [Bill Jensen, Vail Mountain's senior vice president and chief operating officer]. |
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ah but cloud seeding only works when there are clouds to seed. Snowmaking works as long as it's cold enough
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Gosh that's scarey money for snow making. Especially if these are annual running costs and there is the original equipment installation also to be considered. Here's a short earlier thread on the topic of cloud seeding in Australia with a view to easing a drought and at the same time benefiting skiing conditions.
D G Orf, I'm no expert on the subject but isn't the idea that the tiny particles create clouds where none would normally form. But in general I take your point about the reliability of fixed snow cannons compared with the less verifiable effects of seeding.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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kuwait_ian, I can't remember if the clouds actually have to be there, I think they do, but I do remember that it can only be used under certain specific atmospheric conditions relating to humidity teperature and so on
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Surely the much lower cost of cloud seeding even if the results are unpredictable worth while. Does the increase levels of silver iodide washed on to the land have any effect on the plant and animal life ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Russell, good stuff in there including
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| Using silver iodide (the most common seeding material) as an example, the typical concentration of silver in rainwater or snow from seeded cloud systems is less than 0.1 micrograms per liter. This is much below the U.S. Public Health Services stated acceptable concentration of 50 micrograms per liter. |
which seems to answer your question on affecting plant or animal life.
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I was supprised that so little is used I am now infavour of a massive cloud seeding program across the Alps I think we should start a new company snowheads cloudseeding ltd 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Cloud nine would probably fit this little community perfectly.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Why the need for cloud seeding with silver iodide. I thought that every cloud had a silver lining anyway.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Ray Zorro, investing for a rainy day.
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You know it makes sense.
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FAQ
