Weather management

Chronicle

2025: China learns how to change weather with drones

In early May 2025, scientists from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) successfully conducted an artificial precipitation challenge experiment using unmanned aerial vehicles in the Xinjiang region, confirming the possibility of directed weather management.

To call precipitation, two drones were involved, which made four departures. The devices rose to a height of 5500 meters and sprayed silver iodide - a crystalline substance that causes condensation of water vapor, over an area of ​ ​ over 8000 km ². During the experiment, only 125 grams of substance were used per flight.

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Фото: scmp.com

The results of the experiment were impressive. One kilogram of silver iodide, occupying a volume of about a tea cup, provoked more than 70 thousand m³ of precipitation, which is enough to fill 30 Olympic swimming pools. The observations showed that the spray produced 78,200 m³ of rainfall, 3.8% above the average for the past 50 years.

To confirm the effectiveness of the method, scientists used an integrated approach, including satellite observations, computer modeling and direct monitoring of meteorological conditions. Simulations on the supercomputer showed similar results - 73,800 m³ of additional precipitation, which is 4.3% more than usual.

Unlike the United States and the European Union, where full-scale climate experiments are prohibited by law, China is actively developing weather management technologies. However, scientists emphasize that spraying substances to cause precipitation is not always effective and is not suitable for all weather conditions.

For the experiment, modernized X-G500 drones specially developed by Xiamen Tengxi Aviation Technology for cloud seeding tasks were used. Accurate control of cloud cover and verified methods of influencing it have become possible thanks to modern satellite surveillance systems and powerful supercomputers.^[1]

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