20 Documents from the Department of Energy (formerly the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission),
pertaining to or mentioning Weather Modification.
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pertaining to or mentioning Weather Modification.
CLICK ON THE TITLE TO DOWNLOAD PDF
Weather Modification
1961 - DOE, Argonne National Lab, University of Chicago
"It is suggested that applying heat directly to a rain cloud, or to a moist air mass with rain potential, may alter the natural precipitation in a given geographical region. The immediate effect of the heat is to increase the buoyancy of the cloud or air parcel. The result, which depends on a number of interrelated factors may be either (a) to cause precipitation where it would not naturally occur, or (b) to suppress precipitation where it would naturally occur." p.06
"Heat may be introduced into the cloud by various means, including systems transferring heat by direct convection or by infrared radiation." p.13
1961 - DOE, Argonne National Lab, University of Chicago
"It is suggested that applying heat directly to a rain cloud, or to a moist air mass with rain potential, may alter the natural precipitation in a given geographical region. The immediate effect of the heat is to increase the buoyancy of the cloud or air parcel. The result, which depends on a number of interrelated factors may be either (a) to cause precipitation where it would not naturally occur, or (b) to suppress precipitation where it would naturally occur." p.06
"Heat may be introduced into the cloud by various means, including systems transferring heat by direct convection or by infrared radiation." p.13
Airborne Measurements of The Size Distribution and the Condensation and Ice Nucleating Ability of Particles Produced by AgI Containing Pyrotechnics And Acetone Solution Burners
1973 - U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Batelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
1973 - U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Batelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
United States high-altitude test experiences. A review emphasizing the impact on the environment. [Checkmate, Bluegill, Kingfish and Tightrope events]
1976 - DOE, Los Alamos National Laboratory
"The US high-altitude nuclear explosions of the 1955-1962 period are listed chronologically; dates, locations, and yields are given. The major physical phases of the interactions of the weapon outputs with the atmosphere are described, such as the formation of fireballs at the low high-altitudes and the partition of energies and their distribution over very large spaces at the higher high-altitudes. The effects of these explosions on the normal activities of populations and the protective measures taken are documented." p.6
"The study of the coupling processes between the thermosphere where auroral particles and x-rays are stopped and the mesosphere, stratosphere, and the upper troposphere—i.e., the meteorologically important 300-millibar, ~9-km-altitude range, remains a most interesting unsolved problem of upper-atmospheric physics. Direct injection of condensation nuclei and/or water vapor into the latter altitude domain would also need to be considered. In this context, reference is made to recent experimental feasibility studies and speculations about the initiation of large-scale atmospheric motion by other physical means, such as intense radio waves, TNT explosions, the kinetic energy obtained by the fall of tons of material into the upper atmosphere, etc. In any case, the relevance of nuclear-explosion effects to weather modification problems requires much more critical discussion than is attempted in this paper." p.38
1976 - DOE, Los Alamos National Laboratory
"The US high-altitude nuclear explosions of the 1955-1962 period are listed chronologically; dates, locations, and yields are given. The major physical phases of the interactions of the weapon outputs with the atmosphere are described, such as the formation of fireballs at the low high-altitudes and the partition of energies and their distribution over very large spaces at the higher high-altitudes. The effects of these explosions on the normal activities of populations and the protective measures taken are documented." p.6
"The study of the coupling processes between the thermosphere where auroral particles and x-rays are stopped and the mesosphere, stratosphere, and the upper troposphere—i.e., the meteorologically important 300-millibar, ~9-km-altitude range, remains a most interesting unsolved problem of upper-atmospheric physics. Direct injection of condensation nuclei and/or water vapor into the latter altitude domain would also need to be considered. In this context, reference is made to recent experimental feasibility studies and speculations about the initiation of large-scale atmospheric motion by other physical means, such as intense radio waves, TNT explosions, the kinetic energy obtained by the fall of tons of material into the upper atmosphere, etc. In any case, the relevance of nuclear-explosion effects to weather modification problems requires much more critical discussion than is attempted in this paper." p.38
Postulated weather modification effects of large energy releases
1977 - Prepared for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
DOE, Batelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
"Effects of Heat and Moisture Releases on the Biosphere, considers the potential ecological impacts of potential weather modifications due to large energy releases." p.20
"To assign monetary values to weather modification, one must understand weather and changes in weather in the context of economic theory." p.81
"The analogous demand curve for an extra market good is based on the willingness to pay concept (WTP); for our purposes, this means the population's willingness to pay to avoid weather modifications that are perceived to have negative impacts. The aggregate (NTP) demand curve is the marginal social benefit curve." p.82
1977 - Prepared for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
DOE, Batelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
"Effects of Heat and Moisture Releases on the Biosphere, considers the potential ecological impacts of potential weather modifications due to large energy releases." p.20
"To assign monetary values to weather modification, one must understand weather and changes in weather in the context of economic theory." p.81
"The analogous demand curve for an extra market good is based on the willingness to pay concept (WTP); for our purposes, this means the population's willingness to pay to avoid weather modifications that are perceived to have negative impacts. The aggregate (NTP) demand curve is the marginal social benefit curve." p.82
Meteorological effects of heat and moisture releases from large power stations (precipitation modification)
1978 - DOE, Oak Ridge National Lab, Union Carbide Corporation
"The important characteristics of such cooling systems vis-a-vis the conventional once-through cooling system is that the waste heat is discharged directly into the atmosphere in both sensible and latent forms. This discharge represents a persistent perturbation in the lower atmosphere, which under certain conditions could upset latent instabilities and trigger rainfall storms or enhance the intensity of naturally occurring precipitation events. It should be emphasized that we feel that it is the persistent nature of the perturbation, rather than its magnitude, that is the possible origin of precipitation enhancement[…] The magnitude of the perturbation could potentially become important, however, if the concept of "energy centers" with electrical capacities exceeding 10,000 MWe, becomes a reality in the future" p.02
1978 - DOE, Oak Ridge National Lab, Union Carbide Corporation
"The important characteristics of such cooling systems vis-a-vis the conventional once-through cooling system is that the waste heat is discharged directly into the atmosphere in both sensible and latent forms. This discharge represents a persistent perturbation in the lower atmosphere, which under certain conditions could upset latent instabilities and trigger rainfall storms or enhance the intensity of naturally occurring precipitation events. It should be emphasized that we feel that it is the persistent nature of the perturbation, rather than its magnitude, that is the possible origin of precipitation enhancement[…] The magnitude of the perturbation could potentially become important, however, if the concept of "energy centers" with electrical capacities exceeding 10,000 MWe, becomes a reality in the future" p.02
Meteorological Effects of Thermal Energy Releases (METER) Program. Annual progress report, October 1977-September 1978
1979 - DOE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, NCAR
"Since its inception, the METER Program has experienced a continuing process of narrowing of its objectives. Thus, the original wide-ranging scope of mathematical modelling, laboratory and field experimentation, and social assessments gave way to the more pragmatic concern of determining, through well-designed but limited field tests and analog studies, the potential for weather modification. While an awareness of the possibilities for tornado excitation remained, the determination of rainfall changes and drift deposition at selected power plant sites fit better within the program's limited fiscal resources and the current state of meteorology and climatology." p.10
1979 - DOE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, NCAR
"Since its inception, the METER Program has experienced a continuing process of narrowing of its objectives. Thus, the original wide-ranging scope of mathematical modelling, laboratory and field experimentation, and social assessments gave way to the more pragmatic concern of determining, through well-designed but limited field tests and analog studies, the potential for weather modification. While an awareness of the possibilities for tornado excitation remained, the determination of rainfall changes and drift deposition at selected power plant sites fit better within the program's limited fiscal resources and the current state of meteorology and climatology." p.10
Outer geosciences
1979 - DOE, Los Alamos National Lab, NSF, FAA, ARPA, Navy, USAF, NOAA
"The sources of man-made perturbations are power generation and consumption, weather modification, and nuclear weapons testing." p.16
"NSF's Meteorology Program supports basic research into most aspects of troposphere and lower stratosphere science, primarily through research grants to university scientists. The program objective is to improve basic knowledge of tropospheric processes to permit better weather prediction, beneficial weather modification, and environmental protection." p.43
"FAA has an Aviation Weather Program to provide weather information services to the aviation community as efficiently and accurately as possible. It is concerned with weather modification techniques (such as fog dispersal), technology development for acquisition and dissemination of weather information, and hazardous weather research and evaluation. The agency's interests overlap those of other agencies, especially NOAA, the Navy, and the Air Force, and close cooperation is maintained." p.56
"Several other government organizations have small research programs in atmospheric or aeronomic sciences. They are the Department of Agriculture, the National Bureau of Standards, the Defense Nuclear Agency, Department of the Interior, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency. Together, these agencies spend about $10 million per year on meteorology and weather modification, and about $8 million per year on the solar-terrestrial system." p.57
1979 - DOE, Los Alamos National Lab, NSF, FAA, ARPA, Navy, USAF, NOAA
"The sources of man-made perturbations are power generation and consumption, weather modification, and nuclear weapons testing." p.16
"NSF's Meteorology Program supports basic research into most aspects of troposphere and lower stratosphere science, primarily through research grants to university scientists. The program objective is to improve basic knowledge of tropospheric processes to permit better weather prediction, beneficial weather modification, and environmental protection." p.43
"FAA has an Aviation Weather Program to provide weather information services to the aviation community as efficiently and accurately as possible. It is concerned with weather modification techniques (such as fog dispersal), technology development for acquisition and dissemination of weather information, and hazardous weather research and evaluation. The agency's interests overlap those of other agencies, especially NOAA, the Navy, and the Air Force, and close cooperation is maintained." p.56
"Several other government organizations have small research programs in atmospheric or aeronomic sciences. They are the Department of Agriculture, the National Bureau of Standards, the Defense Nuclear Agency, Department of the Interior, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency. Together, these agencies spend about $10 million per year on meteorology and weather modification, and about $8 million per year on the solar-terrestrial system." p.57
Self-induced rainout from a nuclear weapon
1979 - DOE, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
"Several years ago we conjectured that detonation of a nuclear weapon could initiate the formation of a convective cloud that would precipitate and rapidly scavenge and deposit a large amount of radioactive debris. We call such an event self-induced rainout. " p.02
"About two years after completing the model simulation of self-induced rainout, we acquired a report summarizing the doses received by the survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which mentions the 'black rain' phenomenon." p.02
1979 - DOE, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
"Several years ago we conjectured that detonation of a nuclear weapon could initiate the formation of a convective cloud that would precipitate and rapidly scavenge and deposit a large amount of radioactive debris. We call such an event self-induced rainout. " p.02
"About two years after completing the model simulation of self-induced rainout, we acquired a report summarizing the doses received by the survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which mentions the 'black rain' phenomenon." p.02
Climate program plan. Volume 1 of 2. [For assessing interrelationships between energy and climate]
1980 - California University-Livermore, Lawrence Livermore Lab, DOE, Office of Health and Environmental Research
"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken lead responsibility in the development and coordination of the U.S. Climate Program. This activity would build on their present role in atmospheric monitoring, forecasting, weather modification, research, and intergovernmental coordination.
The National Science Foundation has been the traditional source of funding for basic research into atmospheric processes by universities and the National Center for Atmospheric Research NCAR. NSF has led the way the past few years in supporting climate research through its Climate Dynamics office and sponsorship of much of the U. S. contribution to the Global Atmospheric Research Program, the second objective of which is improved understanding of climate.
[…]As part of its role of providing weather and climate information in support of military operations and national security, the Department of Defense maintains a comprehensive observation and forecasting program, and carries out extensive atmospheric research in support of its forecasting role. DOD was an early supporter of climate research through its Advanced Research Projects Agency ARPA program to assess the potential for deliberate climate modification by other nations impacting on U. S. security." p.41
1980 - California University-Livermore, Lawrence Livermore Lab, DOE, Office of Health and Environmental Research
"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken lead responsibility in the development and coordination of the U.S. Climate Program. This activity would build on their present role in atmospheric monitoring, forecasting, weather modification, research, and intergovernmental coordination.
The National Science Foundation has been the traditional source of funding for basic research into atmospheric processes by universities and the National Center for Atmospheric Research NCAR. NSF has led the way the past few years in supporting climate research through its Climate Dynamics office and sponsorship of much of the U. S. contribution to the Global Atmospheric Research Program, the second objective of which is improved understanding of climate.
[…]As part of its role of providing weather and climate information in support of military operations and national security, the Department of Defense maintains a comprehensive observation and forecasting program, and carries out extensive atmospheric research in support of its forecasting role. DOD was an early supporter of climate research through its Advanced Research Projects Agency ARPA program to assess the potential for deliberate climate modification by other nations impacting on U. S. security." p.41
Search of archived data sources for rocket exhaust-induced modifications of the ionosphere
1980 - DOE, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Boston
1980 - DOE, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Boston
Environmental assessment for the satellite power system concept development and evaluation program: atmospheric effects
1980 - Argonne National lab, DOE, NASA
Inadvertant Weather Modification
"Rectenna waste heat releases and changes in the albedo and surface roughness of the terrain could lead to local weather modification. Rocket effluents injected into the troposphere, especially near ground level, could lead to air quality degradation and weather modification." p.10
1980 - Argonne National lab, DOE, NASA
Inadvertant Weather Modification
"Rectenna waste heat releases and changes in the albedo and surface roughness of the terrain could lead to local weather modification. Rocket effluents injected into the troposphere, especially near ground level, could lead to air quality degradation and weather modification." p.10
Space reactors - past, present, and future
1983 - DOE, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Florida Institute of Technology
Multimegawatt Burst Power Plants
"A number of missions that might use large quantities of power for short durations of time have been identified, such as weather modification and directed energy weapons. Power levels in the hundred megawatt or higher range have been mentioned. In addition, these satellites probably will need other power ranges--a power level in the low megawatts for maneuvering and orbital transfer and in the tens to hundred kilowatts for station keeping, sensors, etc." p.08
1983 - DOE, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Florida Institute of Technology
Multimegawatt Burst Power Plants
"A number of missions that might use large quantities of power for short durations of time have been identified, such as weather modification and directed energy weapons. Power levels in the hundred megawatt or higher range have been mentioned. In addition, these satellites probably will need other power ranges--a power level in the low megawatts for maneuvering and orbital transfer and in the tens to hundred kilowatts for station keeping, sensors, etc." p.08
Baseline study of the impact of energy development on weather in the Northern Plains: Project NOSAMP
1989 - DOE, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
"Several states in the northern Great Plains have recently conducted intentional weather modification programs designed to add as much as 1 - 2 inches of precipitation per year to existing rainfall levels. The worth of a rainfall increase of this magnitude has been estimated at more than ten million dollars per year in South Dakota alone. These numbers illustrate the tremendous economic impact of even minor changes in rainfall patterns and suggest that states downwind of the proposed coal developments should examine the possibilities of downwind weather changes very closely." p.04
1989 - DOE, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
"Several states in the northern Great Plains have recently conducted intentional weather modification programs designed to add as much as 1 - 2 inches of precipitation per year to existing rainfall levels. The worth of a rainfall increase of this magnitude has been estimated at more than ten million dollars per year in South Dakota alone. These numbers illustrate the tremendous economic impact of even minor changes in rainfall patterns and suggest that states downwind of the proposed coal developments should examine the possibilities of downwind weather changes very closely." p.04
The future of defense and technology - The role of nuclear weapons in the year 2000
1991 Edward Teller, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Center for Technical Studies on Security,
Energy, and Arms Control
"One of the most important peaceful applications (of small satellites) is a complete coverage of the globe for excellent, detailed, and instantaneous weather information. This is what is needed for better weather prediction and perhaps, at some time, for weather modification. Indeed, no one should attempt to modify the weather who does not understand how to predict the weather." p.4
1991 Edward Teller, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Center for Technical Studies on Security,
Energy, and Arms Control
"One of the most important peaceful applications (of small satellites) is a complete coverage of the globe for excellent, detailed, and instantaneous weather information. This is what is needed for better weather prediction and perhaps, at some time, for weather modification. Indeed, no one should attempt to modify the weather who does not understand how to predict the weather." p.4
Implications of policies and prevent climate change for future food security
Presented a t the NATO Advanced Study Workshop
1993 DOE, Pacific Northwest Lab
"Geoengineering: Modifications of planetary albedo can be made in space. One plan proposed by NASA involves the use of 55,000 orbiting mirrors of 100 km2 in near-Earth orbit. If arrayed parallel to the Earth's surface, 1% of the incoming solar radiation could be reflected; if arrayed perpendicular to the incoming radiation, 2% could be reflected. Shadows cast on the surface by these mirrors would be roughly similar to those of an eclipse. Photosynthesis would be affected, but by how much and where would depend on orbiting characteristics of the mirrors." p.17
Presented a t the NATO Advanced Study Workshop
1993 DOE, Pacific Northwest Lab
"Geoengineering: Modifications of planetary albedo can be made in space. One plan proposed by NASA involves the use of 55,000 orbiting mirrors of 100 km2 in near-Earth orbit. If arrayed parallel to the Earth's surface, 1% of the incoming solar radiation could be reflected; if arrayed perpendicular to the incoming radiation, 2% could be reflected. Shadows cast on the surface by these mirrors would be roughly similar to those of an eclipse. Photosynthesis would be affected, but by how much and where would depend on orbiting characteristics of the mirrors." p.17
The role of the LLNL Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability in a FRMAC response to a nuclear power plant incident
1994 - DOE, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, University of Oklahoma, Colorado State University
"Currently ARAC uses a two-hour persistence forecast or the Assessor's analysis to project plumes beyond the current time. We recognize the need to implement a prognostic model for up to 18 hour forecasted wind and dispersion conditions. This spring the LLNL Regional Atmospheric Science ( U S ) Division embarked upon a study to test and evaluate three candidate mesoscale prognostic models to be used as both in ARAC operational emergency response as well as in Division research programs. In late 1994, RAS will select one final model to begin integrating into the ARAC System and use as the Division's basic research tool. Research applications include cloud physics, chemistry and electrification, severe storms, mesoscale and orographic systems, volcanic and smoke plume dynamics, and weather modification and climatic change effects.
From over twenty candidate models, RAS selected the following three to test and evaluate on the LLNL Crays:
1994 - DOE, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, University of Oklahoma, Colorado State University
"Currently ARAC uses a two-hour persistence forecast or the Assessor's analysis to project plumes beyond the current time. We recognize the need to implement a prognostic model for up to 18 hour forecasted wind and dispersion conditions. This spring the LLNL Regional Atmospheric Science ( U S ) Division embarked upon a study to test and evaluate three candidate mesoscale prognostic models to be used as both in ARAC operational emergency response as well as in Division research programs. In late 1994, RAS will select one final model to begin integrating into the ARAC System and use as the Division's basic research tool. Research applications include cloud physics, chemistry and electrification, severe storms, mesoscale and orographic systems, volcanic and smoke plume dynamics, and weather modification and climatic change effects.
From over twenty candidate models, RAS selected the following three to test and evaluate on the LLNL Crays:
- Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS)/ Center for the Analysis and Prediction of Storms/ University of Oklahoma
- Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS)/ Colorado State University
- Naval Operational Regional Atmospheric Prediction System (NOFWPS)/ Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)/ Naval Research Laboratory" p.13
1994 Triggered Lightning Test Program: Measured responses of a reinforced concrete building under direct lightning attachments
1995 Sandia National Labs DOE
1995 Sandia National Labs DOE
Final report for LDRD Project 94-ERD-037: multi-scale atmospheric simulation system
1997 - DOE, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, (COAMPS-Office of Naval Research)
"Areas of research applicability using the new LLNL NORAPS-COAMPS simulation system include regional climate, mesoscale circulations, storm dynamics, cloud dynamics and microphysics, cloud-radiation interactions, cloud-aerosol interactions, cloud chemistry, intentional and inadvertent weather modification, atmospheric electricity (with additional physics), orographic storms, air quality, and smoke plume dynamics and microphysics." p.12
1997 - DOE, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, (COAMPS-Office of Naval Research)
"Areas of research applicability using the new LLNL NORAPS-COAMPS simulation system include regional climate, mesoscale circulations, storm dynamics, cloud dynamics and microphysics, cloud-radiation interactions, cloud-aerosol interactions, cloud chemistry, intentional and inadvertent weather modification, atmospheric electricity (with additional physics), orographic storms, air quality, and smoke plume dynamics and microphysics." p.12
Defense Technical Information Center Thesaurus
1996 - Office of the Under Secretary Of Defense
"WEATHER MODIFICATION
1996 - Office of the Under Secretary Of Defense
"WEATHER MODIFICATION
- Antirain Agents
- Artificial Precipitation
- Cloud Seeding
- Fog Dispersal
- Ionospheric Modification"