WTWMA Reviews ‘05 Cloud Seeding
Representatives of West Texas Weather Modification Association reviewed the group’s 2005 weather modification program at a meeting at the Glasscock County Community Center Feb. 23.
According to their data, 2005 cloud seeding efforts increased rainfall in Glasscock County by 3.1 inches, or 16.6 percent, providing an increase of 168,300 acre feet. Rick Harston, Glasscock Groundwater District manager, said the county uses an average of 48,000 to 55,000 acre-feet per year for irrigation. WTWMA reps said seeding appeared to improve the dynamics of seeded clouds, making their size greater and their duration longer.
The data show rainfall increases in other counties in the WTWMA as follows: Sterling, 3.9 in., Reagan, 2.61 in., Irion, 3.36 in., Tom Green, 2.46 in.; Crockett, 1.66 in.; Schleicher, 1.52 in. and Sutton, 1.06 in.
According to WTWMA’s annual report, seeding operations started on Feb. 22, 2005 and ended Oct. 10, with 47 operational days. (Eight of these days had corrupted data, and are not included in statistics.) Of 39 operational days, one was in February, one in March, two in April, six in May, one in June, fifteen in July, nine in August, two in September and two in October. There were 133 clouds seeded, and two missed opportunities.
The website for the weather modification group is www.wtwma.com. Their radar shows cloud formations in the area and tracks seeding planes. The GGCD’s website is www.angelfire.com/tx/gcuwd/ or is available as a link off the Glasscock County News site at www.glasscockcountynews.com.