The state of North Dakota has a long history in weather modification operations and research, with the first cloud seeding operations conducted here in 1951. Currently, six counties, comprising nearly 10,500 mi2, participate in summer cloud seeding operations to enhance rainfall and reduce hail damage.

Over the years, the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board (NDARB) has participated in research programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). Federal funding for the USBR's most recent effort, the Weather Damage Modification Program (WDMP) was first made available in FY 2002. NDARB's specific research initiatives have been selected from broad areas of interest, identified though consultation with its research partners. Topics include radar first-echo analysis, seeding effects on target and extra-area rainfall, collection and analysis of cloud condensation nuclei, and numerical modeling of hygroscopic seeding potential. Through these efforts, we hope to better answer questions regarding the impacts of seeding in North Dakota and improve our scientific understanding to benefit operations.