|
Background
The Province of Mendoza, Argentina in South America is one of the most hail prone areas of the world. Losses to agriculture due to hail are typically estimated to be more than 10% of the total agricultural production. Therefore, significant economic gains can be made with a successful hail suppression program.
In November 1998, WMI was contracted by the Ministry of Economics, Government of Mendoza to conduct an experimental program of airborne hail suppression during the summer of 1998 - 99 to establish the technology of hail suppression in the Province of Mendoza using aircraft. This first year of operations was conducted mainly to establish the technologies and methodologies of cloud seeding to suppress hail, as well as to gain experience and increase the knowledge base of information about the atmospheric conditions in Mendoza which affect the formation of hail.
Climate
Temperate climatic conditions (mid-way between tropical and cold; lack of extremes) prevail throughout most of Argentina. In Mendoza, in the foothills of the Andes to the west, the average temperature range is 60°F - 90°F (15.6°C - 32.2°C) in January and 35°F - 59°F (1.7°C - 15.0°C) in July. Precipitation in Argentina is marked by wide regional variations. In the vicinity of Mendoza, the average annual rainfall is about 7 inches (177.8 mm).
Project Area
The target area for the Argentina Hail Suppression Project covers three agricultural oases: Mendoza - San Martin in the North, Tunuyan in the central region, and San Rafael and General Alvear in the South.
Project Information
Purpose:
Hail Damage Mitigation
Season:
October 15 - March 31 each season
Equipment Used:
» one C-Band radar
» TITAN display system
» Vaisala Radiosonde system
» 1 Lear Jet aircraft
» 3 Cheyenne II aircraft
» Ejectable flare racks
» Burn-in-place flare racks
Weather Modification, Inc.
• 3802 20th Street North
• Fargo, ND 58102 USA
Phone: 1-701-235-5500
• Fax: 701-235-9717
©2000-2006 Weather Modification, Inc.
All information on this website is the sole property of Weather Modification, Inc. and cannot be reproduced
without prior written consent. All information is ©Weather Modification, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
Send comments on this website to the Webmaster.