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<br />CLOUD SEEDING--second add <br /> <br />2320 <br /> <br />"There are basically three different processes by which we <br />can modify clouds," according to John LeCompte, program supervisor <br />at CSU. "In clouds that get as cold as freezing, we know we can <br />add ice nuclei--silver iodide--and in many cases increase their <br />efficiency by producing ice crystals which can grow large enough <br />to fallout rather than evaporate. <br />"In other types of clouds. we can seed with large particles, <br />maybe salt particles, to cause a greater size spread of the cloud <br />particles. Also, there are ways in which some cumulus clouds can <br />be modified by releasing additional heat as water droplets are <br />converted to ice. This additionally released heat can cause the <br />cloud to grow larger and thus produce more precipitation." <br />Silver iodide works in clouds by serving as the nuclei upon <br />which additional ice crystals can form, LeCompte explained. These <br />ice crystals in turn form larger particles that can fallout before <br />cloud evaporation takes place. <br />Typical seeding methods involve the use of aircraft and ground <br />generators. When aircraft are used, seeding materials are released <br />into the cloud. With ground generators, especially in mountainous <br />areas, these materials are released into the air and are carried <br />with the air as it lifts over the mountains to form clouds. <br />LeCompte noted that some researchers also are investigating <br />the potential of dropping seeding materials from above the cloud <br />by using a slow-burning device. <br />-more- <br />