Very often bad weather interferes with our plans, forcing us to spend the weekend sitting in the apartment. But what to do if a big holiday is planned with the participation of a huge number of residents of the metropolis? Here the dispersal of clouds comes to the rescue, which is carried out by the authorities to create favorable weather. What is this procedure and how does it affect the environment?
First attempts to disperse clouds
For the first time, clouds began to disperse back in the 1970s in the Soviet Union with the help of special jet aircraft Tu-16 "Cyclone". In 1990, specialists from the State Hydrometeorological Committee developed a whole methodology to create favorable weather conditions.
In 1995, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Victory, the technique was tested on Red Square. The results met all expectations. Since then, cloud dispersal has been used during significant events. In 1998, they managed to create good weather at the World Youth Games. The celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow was not without the participation of the new methodology.
Currently, the Russian cloud overclocking service is considered oneof the best in the world. She continues to work and develop.
The principle of dispersal of clouds
Meteorologists call the process of dispersal of clouds "seeding". It involves the spraying of a special reagent, on the nuclei of which the moisture in the atmosphere is concentrated. After that, precipitation reaches a critical mass and falls to the ground. This is done in areas preceding the territory of the city. Thus, the rain passes earlier.
This cloud dispersal technology ensures good weather within a radius of 50 to 150 km from the center of the celebration, which has a positive effect on the celebration and the mood of people.
What reagents are used to disperse clouds
Good weather is established with the help of silver iodide, dry ice, liquid nitrogen vapor crystals and other substances. The choice of component depends on the type of clouds.
Dry ice is sprayed onto layered forms of the cloud layer below. This reagent is carbon dioxide granules. Their length is only 2 cm, and the diameter is about 1.5 cm. Dry ice is sprayed from an aircraft from a great height. When carbon dioxide hits a cloud, the moisture it contains crystallizes. After that, the cloud dissipates.
Liquid nitrogen fights nimbostratus cloud mass. The reagent also diffuses over the clouds, causing them to cool. Silver iodide is used against powerful rain clouds.
The dispersal of clouds with cement, gypsum or talc avoids the appearance of cumulus clouds,high above the earth's surface. By dispersing the powder of these substances, it is possible to achieve a heavier flow of ascending air, which prevents the formation of clouds.
Technique for dispersing clouds
Operations to establish good weather are carried out using special equipment. In our country, clouds are dispersed on Il-18, An-12 and An-26 transport aircraft, which have the necessary equipment.
Cargo compartments have systems to spray liquid nitrogen. Some aircraft are equipped with devices for firing cartridges with silver compounds. Such guns are installed in the tail section.
The equipment is controlled by pilots who have undergone special training. They fly at an altitude of 7-8 thousand meters, where the air temperature does not rise above -40 °C. To avoid nitrogen poisoning, the pilots wear protective suits and oxygen masks throughout the flight.
How clouds disperse
Before starting to disperse the cloud masses, the meteorological station experts examine the atmosphere. A few days before the solemn event, air reconnaissance clarifies the situation, after which the operation itself begins to establish good weather.
Often, planes with reagents take off from a military airfield located in the Moscow region. Having risen to a sufficient height, they spray particles of the drug onto the clouds, which concentrate moisture near them. This leads to the fact that over the areaspraying, heavy rainfall immediately falls. By the time the clouds are over the capital, the moisture supply is running low.
The dispersal of clouds, the establishment of good weather brings tangible benefits to the residents of the capital. So far, in practice, this technology is used only in Russia. Engaged in the operation of Roshydromet, coordinating all actions with the authorities.
Efficiency of cloud dispersal
It was said above that they began to disperse the clouds during the Soviet era. Then this technique was widely used in agricultural needs. But it turned out that it can also serve the benefit of society. One has only to recall the Olympic Games held in Moscow in 1980. It was thanks to the intervention of specialists that the bad weather was avoided.
Several years ago, Muscovites were able to once again see the effectiveness of dispersal of clouds at the celebration of the City Day. Meteorologists managed to get the capital out of the powerful impact of the cyclone and reduce the intensity of precipitation by 3 times. Hydromet specialists said that it is almost impossible to cope with powerful clouds. However, weather forecasters, together with the pilots, managed to do it.
The dispersal of clouds over Moscow no longer surprises anyone. Often, good weather during the Victory Day parade is established thanks to the actions of meteorologists. This situation pleases the residents of the capital, but there are people who are wondering what such interference in the atmosphere could threaten. What do Hydromet specialists say about this?
Consequences of overclockingclouds
Meteorologists believe that talk about the dangers of dispersal of clouds have no basis. Environmental monitors say chemicals sprayed over clouds are environmentally friendly and cannot harm the atmosphere.
Migmar Pinigin, who is the head of the research institute's laboratory, claims that liquid nitrogen does not pose a danger to both human he alth and the environment. The same applies to granular carbon dioxide. Both nitrogen and carbon dioxide are abundant in the atmosphere.
Spraying cement powder also does not threaten any consequences. The dispersal of clouds uses the minimum amount of matter that is not capable of polluting the earth's surface.
Meteorologists claim that the reagent is in the atmosphere for less than a day. Once it enters the cloud mass, the precipitation will completely wash it out.
Opponents of cloud dispersal
Despite the assurances of meteorologists that the reagents are absolutely safe, there are opponents of this technique. Environmentalists from Ecodefense say that forcing good weather results in torrential downpours that begin after the clouds disperse.
Environmentalists believe that the authorities should stop interfering with the laws of nature, otherwise it may lead to unpredictable consequences. According to them, it is too early to draw conclusions about what actions to disperse clouds are fraught with,but they will definitely not bring anything good.
Meteorologists reassure that the negative consequences of dispersal of clouds are just assumptions. To make such claims, careful measurements of the concentration of aerosol in the atmosphere and the type of aerosol must be made. Until this is done, environmentalists' claims can be considered unfounded.
Undoubtedly, dispersal of clouds has a positive effect on large-scale open-air events. However, only residents of the capital are happy about this. The population of nearby territories is forced to take the brunt of the elements. The debate about the benefits and harms of technology for establishing good weather continues to this day, but so far scientists have not come to any reasonable conclusion.
