Should we Consider Polluting Hurricanes to Reduce their Intensity?

Abstract

An overview of simulations of hurricane response to African dust is presented. Those simulations suggest that under some conditions storm intensity might be reduced if large concentrations of small hygroscopic particles are present at the time the storms develop. Based on those results, it is proposed that seeding hurricanes with small hygroscopic particles can reduce hurricane intensity and damage, but future research is needed to determine the range of conditions under which such seeding may be effective and to determine whether such seeding is practically viable. Recommendations for a research program to further investigate the feasibility of such a procedure are provided.