2 CCR 401-1-17 - Suspension of Weather Modification Operations
A.
Ground-Based Winter Cloud Seeding: The permit holder must suspend
ground-based winter cloud seeding operations when the following conditions are
in the target area:
(1) Snow Water Equivalent
Thresholds. Weather modification operations must be suspended at any time the
snowpack water equivalents exceed the following: 175% of average on December
1st, 175% of average on January 1st, 160% of average on February 1st, 150% of
average on March 1st and 140% of average on April 1st. The Director or his or
her designee will determine where and how snowpack water equivalents are to be
measured, including at selected "SNOTEL" sites. The Director or his or her
designee may permit weather modification operations to continue in a portion of
the operation target area where snowpack water equivalents are below these
suspension criteria percentages, if the operation will not impact the area
where snowpack water equivalents are above these suspension criteria
percentages. These thresholds are designed to keep the seeding effect to within
the realm of natural variability of the local climate as measured at each
SNOTEL station.
(2) Avalanche
Hazard Levels. Weather modification operations may be suspended by the Director
due to high avalanche hazard levels, and must be suspended by the permit holder
due to extreme avalanche hazard levels for highway corridors, as determined by
the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). The CAIC works in
coordination with the Department of Transportation and National Weather Service
to determine avalanche hazard levels. The permit holder must monitor CAIC
avalanche hazard levels, and coordinate with the Director and CAIC to determine
whether suspension of operations is warranted by high avalanche hazard levels.
(3) National Weather Service
Hazardous Weather Statements. The permit holder must suspend all weather
modification operations whenever one of the following is issued that impacts
any part of the target area:
a. An urban or
small stream flood advisory;
b. A
blizzard warning;
c. A flash flood
warning; or
d. A severe
thunderstorm warning.
Operations may resume after these statements expire.
B.
Aerial Summer Cloud Seeding: The permit holder must suspend aerial
summer cloud seeding operations when the National Weather Service has issued a
flash flood warning, storms are producing a funnel cloud or tornado, or the
operational meteorologist observes any condition that warrants temporary
suspension of the program. The permit holder must suspend winter aerial cloud
seeding operations according to the suspension criteria of Rule 17.A.
C.
Other Weather Modification
Operations: The Director may determine and implement suspension criteria
for other types of weather modification operations, as necessary. For example,
hail cannon weather modification operations must be confined to a small
localized area directly over the target area, and limited to periods of heavy
rain and hail tracking directly toward and over the target area.
Notes
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