Cloud seeding for Sochi
Sunday June 20, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

Officials have confirmed that they will have the option to use cloud-seeding techniques to protect the snow.

If it looks like rain is coming scientists will release silver iodide into the clouds.

The storm clouds then disperse or release precipitation.

The authorities in Moscow reportedly seeded the clouds before this year's celebrations for the 65th anniversary of Victory Day.

Cloud seeding was used at the Beijing summer Olympics in 2008 and has been used on subsequent occassions.

It has also been used in Australia and the USA.

Some though question the effectiveness of cloud seeding.

The Vancouver Winter Olympics was affected by a lack of snow at some of the venues.

Cypress Mountain had severe problems and at first it was brought in by lorry and then by helicopter.

Snow is promisedIt appears there will be no repeat in 4 years time in Russia.

The Sochi organisers say they will stockpile snow well in advance and then use cloud seeding to prevent any rain washing it away once it has been placed down.

Apart from the lack of snow on Cypress Mountain the Vancouver Games was widely seen as a big success with a party and carnival atmosphere.

It will certainly be a hard act to follow though the organisers say they are confident they will succeed.

Much of the infrastructure will need to be built from scratch and already some concerns have been raised.

Not least about the environmental impact and safety implications as we reported here earlier on PlanetSKI.

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