David Klatt: When the forecast says rain, use a plane

Initial weather forecasts are calling for a 40 to 50% chance of rain during Opening Ceremonies on August 8, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.

But with enough warning, local Olympic organizers say they have a back-up plan to make sure it doesn’t rain on the parade of athletes: Pop the rain clouds before they get here.

Chinese weather officials say they will send planes and rockets loaded with silver iodine and dry ice up in the sky, which will “induce rain before the clouds veer toward the Olympic venues.”

Evidenyly, the technology only works for light rain.

This USA Today article casts some international doubt over whether or not the rocket launchers actually work. The link also has a picture of one the 6,781 artillery guns and 4,110 rocket launchers (Xinhua news agency) used to induce rain.

“Thunderstorms, heavy rain, high temperatures, muggy skies and even hailstorms could be a problem,” said Chen Zhenlin, director of the Olympic Weather Service Center.

One thing is for sure though. Weather forecasters have also launched new weather satellites they hope will allow for more accurate forecasts to be available more frequently.