Cloud Seeding Archives

Three men in winter gear and snow board on a peak overlooking the water of Lake Tahoe.

Cloud Seeding for Local Precipitation Enhancement: An Interview With Atmospheric Scientist Frank McDonough

By Elyse DeFranco | Nov 19, 2025 | Featured researchers

Frank McDonough is a research and forecast meteorologist who leads DRI’s cloud seeding program. His research interests span cloud physics, aviation icing forecasting, and precipitation enhancement.

In this interview, Dr. McDonough answers frequently asked questions about how cloud seeding works and what makes DRI’s program unique. This is the second in a new series of FAQ videos with DRI researchers.

Sean McKenna speaking on a panel with two others with a microphone in front of him.

DRI Holds Water Panel at Nevada State Legislature

By Elyse DeFranco | Apr 23, 2025 | Featured projects

On March 27, DRI scientists gathered at the State Capitol to illuminate work that supports Nevada’s communities and landscape. With more than 600 scientists, engineers, students, and staff across our Reno and Las Vegas campuses, we conducted more than $52 million in sponsored research focused on improving peoples’ lives in 2024 alone.

Students and Instructors in front of a drone on the side of the mountain with snow on the ground.

Project ROSE seeks to solve data collection challenges for cloud seeding research

By DRI Communications | Mar 7, 2024 | Nevada Robotics

Project ROSE (Remote Operated Sample Extraction) is designed to make obtaining samples easier. Project ROSE’s goal is to be able to remotely collect samples via drone.

DRI and Save Red Rock Celebrate The Passage Of SB99 Which Funds a Statewide Cloud Seeding Initiative

By DRI Communications | Jun 26, 2023 | Announcements, News releases

The Nevada State Legislature has unanimously passed a measure aimed at funding a statewide cloud seeding project. The appropriation of $1.2M over two years will be allocated to DRI for its multi-location cloud seeding research and operations.

Making it Snow: A Brief History and Review of the Science Behind Cloud-Seeding

By Elyse DeFranco | Mar 15, 2023 | Blog, Featured researchers

The snow-inducing technique called cloud-seeding has been around for more than 60 years. Although not a panacea for drought-stricken regions, cloud-seeding can increase seasonal precipitation by about 10%. In the Reno area alone, winter cloud-seeding efforts are estimated to add enough water to supply about 40,000 households for a year.

The William N. Pennington Foundation Supports DRI’s Cloud Seeding Program

By DRI Communications | Feb 2, 2023 | Donor Stories

DRI is grateful for the ongoing generous support by the William N. Pennington Foundation for DRI’s cloud seeding projects in Northern Nevada for the 2021 and 2022 winters.