Environment

Arizona Legislature debates cloud seeding to boost snowfall

Measure comes as other bills look to ban weather-altering proposals

People walk down the sidewalk as snow falls rapidly on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 in downtown Flagstaff, Ariz., during a snow squall, a period of intense and accumulating snow. The Arizona Legislature is debating whether to use a cloud seeding technology to increase snowfall in the state. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)

Felicia Fonseca

PHOENIX — Drought-plagued Arizona could see state-funded drones spraying microscopic silver iodide particles into mountain clouds to boost snowfall if proponents get their way.

The Legislature is considering allowing the use of money earmarked for boosting rural water supplies to pay for so-called “cloud seeding” operations to increase precipitation in the state’s high country.

But the proposal sponsored by Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, may have a tough road ahead.

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