Assessment of Summer 1979 Rainfall in Southeastern Illinois with Special Reference to Weather Modification Efforts

Abstract

In 1978, during a dry summer period, a group of citizens in the Saline and Gallatin County area of southeastern Illinois became interested in the possibility of obtaining additional rainfall through the use of a weather modification program. By the latter part of the summer, in August and early September, they had formed a corporation called Southeastern Rain Incorporated; they had raised funds; and they then launched a cloud seeding project carried out by a weather modification firm. No scientific assessment of this hurriedly assembled effort could be attempted. The regional interest in this endeavor, and the potential for agriculture benefits deriving from additional summer rainfall in this area of Illinois, led the group to plan for a second summer season project in 1979.