--- title: "Cloud Seeding Experiments Conducted in Homer Alaska Without Public Disclosure" url: https://noti.group/cloud-seeding-experiments-conducted-in-homer-alaska-without-public/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-07T07:09:32.000Z updated: 2026-10-07T16:59:57.573Z id: 6554beef-24a2-40e5-82fc-55be30e851bc source: "BBC News Technology https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c64g71j4lgyjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/cloud-seeding-experiments-conducted-in-homer-alaska-without-public/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Cloud Seeding Experiments Conducted in Homer Alaska Without Public Disclosure A cloud seeding experiment was conducted in Homer, Alaska, without prior warning or public disclosure, using drones to disperse compounds into clouds to stimulate rainfall. Cloud-seeding experiments were conducted in Homer, Alaska, without prior warning or public disclosure. The operation, carried out by a start-up company based in San Francisco, involved using drones to disperse compounds into clouds to stimulate rainfall. The experiment claimed to have produced 19 million US gallons of water in the sky within three hours. This is an ambitious claim, given that cloud-seeding technology has been around for over eight decades and involves using planes or drones to release silver iodide or other substances into clouds to promote ice crystal formation. Cloud seeding essentially accelerates the natural process of water vapor condensation inside clouds. As these crystals grow in size, gravity takes hold and pulls them towards the ground, resulting in precipitation. However, this technology requires specific environmental conditions, typically found in mountainous or cold regions like Alaska. The director of the Center for Biological Diversity in Alaska, Cooper Freeman, has expressed concerns about the experiment's lack of transparency and potential safety risks to both residents and their environment. He questions whether adequate measures were taken to monitor the impact of silver iodide on local ecosystems and water sources. The use of cloud-seeding technology has raised concerns about its potential impact on local ecosystems and water sources. Some experts question whether adequate measures are being taken to monitor these effects. Augustus Doricko, founder and CEO of Rainmaker, is prepared to address the issue of chemical safety in his company's operations. The global demand for freshwater is outpacing its replenishment rate, according to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. This statement echoes reports highlighting a five-year period that has seen the driest conditions for global rivers in over three decades. The situation underscores the need for innovative solutions to address water security challenges. Cloud-seeding technology, as employed by Rainmaker, is not capable of creating rainstorms on its own. Instead, it can only contribute a small amount of precipitation to an existing storm system. For example, Rainmaker's efforts can result in around 0.01 inch of rain across 100 square miles, which translates to approximately 19 million gallons. The cloud-seeding industry is rapidly expanding, with more than 50 countries developing programs to modify the weather and numerous start-ups emerging to create rain. These businesses are pushing the boundaries of innovation, but they must also navigate complex issues related to safety and efficacy. As companies like Rainmaker continue to develop their technologies, they face novel challenges in finding the right materials to spray into clouds and determining the most effective methods for doing so. This requires a delicate balance between scientific research and practical application, as companies strive to create rainmaking systems that are both safe and efficient. Rainmaker's cloud-seeding drones disperse a minute amount of silver at 20 grams per flight, covering thousands of square kilometers. The resulting increase in ground-level concentration is measured in parts per quadrillion, well below the threshold set by the FDA for allowable levels. The company relies on clouds to carry out its seeding process, as without them, cloud-seeding efforts are futile. Clouds provide the necessary environment for silver iodide to take effect, and their formation dictates when seeding sessions can occur. Rainmaker's drones are equipped with silver iodide flares that burn upon ignition, atomizing water particles into smaller sizes. This enables them to remain suspended in the freezing cloud for extended periods, eventually forming crystals and contributing to precipitation. The company operates in several regions, including Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and parts of the Middle East, such as Jordan. In this arid region, residents often rely on limited water supplies from their utility providers due to scarcity. Cloud seeding has its roots in 1946 when researchers at the General Electric Research Laboratory used dry ice as a seeding agent. However, silver iodide was discovered to be more effective just a year later and soon became the preferred choice for cloud-seeding efforts. Despite initial successes with cloud-seeding efforts using seeding agents, results have been inconsistent and often disappointing. According to Jon Meyer, an assistant state climatologist with the Utah Climate Center, even under ideal conditions, cloud seeding can only muster up about 5-10% more precipitation than usual. A breakthrough study in 2017, which used radar and precipitation gauges to observe cloud seeding in action, brought some much-needed validation to the industry. This research showed that silver iodide, a key component of many cloud-seeding operations, indeed worked as expected. The introduction of drones like those developed by Rainmaker has brought a new level of precision to cloud seeding efforts, allowing for more targeted and potentially effective interventions in the skies. Researchers have been exploring alternatives to traditional cloud seeding agents like silver iodide, and one such innovation is Rainmaker's biodegradable solution that nucleates ice more efficiently. Meyer, a prominent figure in the field, believes this new technology will be increasingly sought after as regions face growing water demands and seek innovative solutions to meet them. --- Source: [BBC News Technology](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c64g71j4lgyjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/cloud-seeding-experiments-conducted-in-homer-alaska-without-public/