Expert says cloud seeding couldn't have contributed to Hill Country floods

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some people theorized that cloud seeding contributed to, or even caused, the Hill Country/Central Texas floods around July 4. Their argument seemed to center on a belief that cloud seeding led to the enormous amount of rain that dropped.

KXAN spoke with George Bomar, a weather modification expert, about these theories. Bomar served the State of Texas as a state meteorologist for 46 years.

More importantly, he supervised weather modification research initiatives and oversaw cloud-seeding operations while working for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Bomar said that cloud-seeding operations in the state were discontinued no less than 36 hours before the floods. He explained that meteorologists follow certain criteria after they issue any watches or warnings, whether for floods or severe thunderstorms.

"Cloud seeding is done on a very small scale," Bomar said. "The type of weather event that caused the floods were more massive than what could ever be attempted."

He also explained how silver iodide pellets, used in cloud seeding, work.