Friday, 4 May 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

Scientists gather in Melbourne to discuss cloud seeding

Australian cloud seeders and researchers are gathering in Melbourne from Monday, 7 May, to review the latest science and cloud seeding experiences from around the world. The three day symposium comprises presentations from international and Australian scientists, workshops and discussions and a review of Australian cloud seeding plans, including related research projects.

The Bureau’s Chief Scientist, Dr Neville Smith, said the current prolonged drought had heightened community interest and provided a timely focus for the symposium. “It is for this reason that, although the Bureau is not directly involved in cloud seeding, we’ve joined together with Australian partners to hold this symposium and bring together international and local experts from a wide range of cloud science and seeding experiences,” said Dr Smith.

The science of cloud seeding is still evolving. Internationally, the scientists attending the symposium come from the United States, Japan, South Africa and Israel and include contributors to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) draft statement on weather modification which was updated last year.

Australian scientists contributing to the symposium include researchers from CSIRO and Monash and Southern Queensland Universities, as well those from Tasmania Hydro and the Snowy River Hydro which have both experienced some success in cloud seeding activities and research. “The Symposium provides an ideal opportunity to learn from all these experiences and allow interested organisations to take the latest knowledge into account when planning future investments,” said Dr Smith.

“For us at the Bureau, cloud seeding experiments provide an opportunity to further our already significant involvement in cloud research. Last year our Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment involving more than 100 scientists from eight countries to Darwin for more than 60 days providing extensive data for ongoing analysis.

“Currently we’re involved in two projects that will further aid cloud seeding science including: a feasibility study on the frequency and duration of cloud conditions for seeding; and the likely provision of radar services as part of a Queensland Government project to develop a better understanding of the physical processes involved in seeding,” Dr Smith said.

The Australian Cloud Seeding Research Symposium concludes on 9 May, 2007.

Further information:
Website: http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/basic/events/cloudseeding/
Dr Neville Smith, Chief Scientist, Bureau of Meteorology, mob: 0407 824 129

Speaking at the Symposium:

Local

Professor Mike Manton, Monash University,
0419-389 795, Michael.Manton@sci.monash.edu.au

Dr Roger Stone, Professor in Climatology and Water Resources, Director Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments, University of Southern Queensland,
0437 349168, stone@usq.edu.au

Mr Alex Nazarov, Energy Market operations, Hydro Tasmania.
Speak with Helen Brain, 03 6230 5746

John Denholme, Project Director, Snowy Enhancement Research Project.
Speak with Paul Johnson, 02 9278 1888, paul.johnson@snowyhydro.com.au

International

Prof Daniel Rosenfeld, Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Office: +972-2-6585821, Mobile: +972-52-8977263, daniel.rosenfeld@huji.ac.il

Dr Deon Terblanche, South African Weather Service and Chair of World Meteorological Organization Expert Team on Weather Modification.
Speak with Yuven Gounden, 012 3309053 (Direct) 083 452 2043 (Cell) or yuveng@wrc.org.za

Roelof T Bruintjes, Project Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research,
+1 303 6695889, roelof@ucar.edu

Arlen W. Huggins, Associate Research Scientist, Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada,
(775) 674-7140, arlen.huggins@dri.edu

Dr Masataka Murakami, Head of Cloud Physics Section, Meteorological Research Institute, Tsukuba, Japan.
Contact via email: mamuraka@mri-jma.go.jp

Ends