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Abstract

Using unmanned helium balloons to rain enhancement is a novelty in the active atmospheric interventions field. In this way, the experiment programs were performed within Hail Suppression Unit (UCCG) – Moldova 1 Iasi between November 12th to December 11th, 2022, at Cotnari Group. The launching points considered were: Valea Racului, Hodora, Ruginoasa, Strunga, and Sârca. Throughout the experimental program’s duration, the meteorological conditions were analyzed from the forecast stage to the operative ones by using the RADAR data provided by the Bârnova terminal within National Meteorological Administration (NMA) network. For the entire period of the experimental program of rain enhancement, there were seven cases with an ideal environment using balloons for this purpose. As a result of active interventions into the atmosphere by using this technology, on average, an increase in rainfall amounts was noticed, from 2.9 l/sq m before cloud seeding to over 7.9 l/sq m after seeding. There were cases where the increase in rainfall amounts was even more significant, from 9 l/sq m before seeding to over 21 l/sq after seeding. The clouds’ speed played a significant role. So, at speeds of clouds below 35 km/h, the increase of precipitations amounts from the pre-seeding to after-seeding phase was even up to 8 – 12 l/sq m.