Scientists have learned how to make clouds disappear, using a technique which could help guarantee sunny weather at outdoor events.
A team of US researchers succeeded in plucking a cloud from the air with a powder which soaks up water. They hope to use the technique to dry and weaken hurricanes and tropical storms.
Mr Peter Cordani, of Dyn-OMat, the company developing the powder, said: "It is the moisture that gives hurricanes their strength. In the case of a huge hurricane, we would not be trying to soak it up altogether. But what we would do is break it up and reduce its strength and killing potential."
His team hopes to get US government permission to tackle a hurricane or tropical storm in the coming season.
In the latest experiment, military aircraft scattered the powder through a storm cloud 1,600 metres long and more than 4,000 metres deep. It took about 4,000 kilograms of powder to make the cloud virtually disappear. The grains are shaped like cornflakes, allowing them to flutter like confetti through the cloud.
As the plastic grains soak up moisture, they turn into a gel and fall to earth. The gel dissolves in salt water, so the preferred option is to tackle storm clouds over the ocean. The grains are biodegradable and not hazardous to health or the environment, New Scientist reported.