What is SNOWSCAPE?

SNOWSCAPE stands for seeded and natural orographic winter storms catchment processes and evaluation. This is a new program being launched for the 2026 winter season. SNOWSCAPE will provide a major scientific advancement by collecting high-resolution data on atmospheric conditions, snowpack energy balance and other key variables. These measurements will be used to calibrate two cutting-edge models designed to simulate the effects of cloud seeding on natural precipitation. 

Funding for the SNOWSCAPE program comes entirely from the Division of Water Resources. The division’s research is being conducted with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the University of Utah and Utah State University.

Why SNOWSCAPE?

Evaluating cloud seeding effectiveness remains one of the most significant challenges in the field. Traditional approaches rely on comparing SNOTEL sites in target and control basins, but these single-point measurements capture only a small fraction of mountain conditions. The SNOWSCAPE program will collect location-specific data for both seeded and non-seeded storms and use that precise information to better calibrate models. 

Program process

The SNOWSCAPE program will begin with a two-month field campaign to collect data during seeded and non-seeded storms. This data will be analyzed for physical signs of cloud seeding impacts in each target area. 

The division and its partners will use this data to calibrate two important models that help illustrate cloud seeding’s impacts: the Weather Research Forecast Weather Modification model and the Weather Research Forecast Hydro model. After calibration, the models will simulate three winter seasons of cloud seeding to determine seeding’s effectiveness on the winter snowpack and subsequent streamflow. 

The division and its partners will continue optimizing the program in the future.