Accidental and planned weather modification in illinois

Weather modification, both planned by humans and accidentally produced by humans, is the focus of an Illinois study. Populations in Illinois and the Midwest are living in a climate that is now modified inadvertently from its natural state. State atmospheric scientists have tackled weather modification through a series of interrelated studies, experimental design studies, experimental field studies to verify changes and their causes, and socioeconomic and environmental studies to measure the impacts of weather modification. Studies at St. Louis show that the city acts as a trigger of summer clouds and rainfall leading to four to six summer days with 3 cm or more rain somewhere just east of the city. Power plants and jet aircraft also accidentally produce climatic changes. The effects of large industries, power plants, and land-area changes on weather are discussed. A focus of planned weather modification has been on the design of needed midwestern experiments in rainfall enhancement and hail suppression, including their societal and environmental impacts. (1 map)