Colorado: Cloud-seeding ends for the year

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

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Does cloud seeding enhance Colorado snowfall?

Biggest storms came after the silver-iodide burners shut down for the year

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado’s cloud-seeding program for the central mountains ended April 10, just as a series of strong spring storms rolled into the area.

While the winter’s biggest snow totals came after the end of this year’s program, the seeding operations may have helped bring near-average snowfall to area in February and March, according to the operators, who are now measuring their efforts under a “target and control” evaluation that will be submitted to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for review. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

New rules for Colorado’s cloud-seeding program

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

‘Target and control’ studies to evaluate effectiveness of snowfall enhancement efforts

Can humans enhance one of nature's finest products? Bob Berwyn photo.

Can humans enhance one of nature’s finest products? Bob Berwyn photo.

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A ground-based silver-iodide generator in Colorado. Photo courtesy CWCB.

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — Colorado’s $1 million cloud-seeding program continues to expand, and under new rules adopted this past summer, the state and the water providers and ski areas who pay for the program hope to get a better idea if their efforts to boost snowfall are effective.

As part of the state-authorized weather modification plan, operators of cloud-seeding operations are required to complete annual “target versus control” analyses, comparing snowfall in target areas against similar non-targeted control areas. Over time, the data from those evaluations may help determine if cloud seeding really does boost snowfall by up to 15 percent, as claimed by the operators.

“This method is credible and develops relationships between snow data and tracks precipitation totals over time in both seeded areas and non-seeded areas to help track the efficacy of the program,” said Maria Pastore, of Glenwood Springs-based Grand River Consulting, who manages the central mountains cloud-seeding rogram. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Snow: Colorado cloud-seeding program grows

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

A map from an annual cloud-seeding report filed with the CWCB shows estimated increases in precipitation in the target areas around Summit County resorts.

Report says last winter’s efforts added more than 8,000 acre-feet of water, recommends routine seeding

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Cloud-seeding experts say their efforts boosted snow totals at Summit County ski areas by 12 to 22 inches last winter, producing an additional 8,850 acre-feet of water in the Blue River Basin.

“We … believe that this valuable service of providing additional snow was achieved in a cost effective manner,” says a report filed with the state by Western Weather Consultants, recommending that cloud-seeding weather modifications proceed on a routine basis each year to help bolster the state’s water supplies and to enhance early season skiing at the targeted resorts.

This year, the $274,000 central Colorado mountains program includes seven Front Range water providers and four ski areas: Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Winter Park and Breckenridge, all contributing to the cost of the cloud-seeding program, according Joe Busto, head of the state’s weather modification program. The CWCB supports the program with grant funding.

Cloud seeding started this week, and Larry Hjermstad, of Durango-based Western Weather Consultants, said he’s keeping an eye on the wave of incoming storms to determine if it’s time to fire up the silver-iodide generators. Low-level wind fields, cloud characteristics, atmospheric temperatures and terrain features all figure into the equation of determining which network of generators will best seed the cloud system during each seeding opportunity. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, snow, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Cloud seeding under way for 3 Summit County ski areas

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

A state map shows the location of cloud-seeding generators and target areas in western Colorado, including the Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas and the Upper Arkansas River watershed. A similar map for the new Summit County operation will be posted soon at the Colorado Water Conservation Board website. Click on the image for a full-size view. MAP COURTESY CWCB.

Keystone, Breckenridge and A-Basin invest $75,000 in an effort to boost mountain snowfall

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado’s early season conditions are getting rave reviews from skiers and riders, and this year,  Mother Nature can’t take all the credit. Three Summit County ski areas are funding a regional cloud-seeding program operated by Durango-based Western Weather Consultants to boost early season snowfall.

Combined, Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin are pitching in $75,000  to help pay for the installation of five new silver iodide generators and two months of operations, with an option to extend the deal for a third month at a cost of $20,000. (more…)

Filed under: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge Ski Resort, climate and weather, Environment, Keystone, ski industry, skiing and riding, snow, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

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