JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Meteorologists are occasionally criticized for inaccurate forecasts; however, recent hurricane forecasts have been remarkably accurate, leading to a surprising trend.

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Instead of being praised for life-saving early predictions, some are blaming the government for directing hurricanes to certain areas of the country.

Hurricane Helene’s well-predicted landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, followed by a near-perfect advance forecast of Milton hitting the Tampa Bay area, reinforced the idea that these unwavering storm tracks must be due to a clandestine government geoengineering program.

The Science Behind Hurricane Prediction

To understand the absurdity of such claims, you have to appreciate the complex science behind hurricane prediction. Meteorologists and climate scientists use sophisticated computer models that analyze large amounts of data, including atmospheric pressure, wind speed, ocean temperature, and humidity. These models can accurately predict a hurricane’s path days or even weeks in advance.

The remarkable consistency of these predictions across nations—despite potential geopolitical tensions—is a testament to the reliability of the underlying science.

It is highly unlikely that multiple countries would coordinate such a massive operation to manipulate the path of a hurricane without detection.

Why is NOAA rejecting it?

This shift from acknowledging advances in accurate and life-saving forecasts to baseless claims that humans can control the weather is rooted in various conspiracy theories spread by social media influencers and given prominence by politicians.

The attention these claims have gotten has recently reached a tipping point, forcing NOAA to issue a statement assuring the public that it is impossible to control the weather.

“NOAA does not modify the weather, nor does it fund, participate in, or oversee cloud seeding or any other weather modification activities,” the agency said. “NOAA’s goal is to better understand and predict Earth’s systems, from the bottom of the sea floor to the surface of the sun. We are deepening our understanding and deploying new resources to improve forecasting and provide communities with earlier and more accurate warnings before extreme weather events. NOAA is required by law to track the weather modification activities of others, including cloud seeding, but has no authority to regulate those activities.”

The physical impossibility of manipulating hurricanes

Beyond the logistical challenges, the physical scale of hurricanes makes the idea of ​​human manipulation implausible. These storms are colossal energy systems that draw power from warm ocean waters. To alter their course or intensity would require a level of technological prowess far beyond our current capabilities.

Even intervention on the smallest scale, by altering dust particles in clouds to absorb more water in the hope of rain, has never been proven to work since experiments began in the 1960s.

The science behind cloud seeding is not inherently flawed; however, real-world conditions are much more complex. Crucial factors such as cloud type, air temperature and moisture content all play a role in the formation of precipitation. Cloud seeding that lacks the necessary ingredients may not produce additional precipitation, and the impact on existing weather patterns may be unpredictable.

The real threat: climate change

Instead of indulging in conspiracy theories, we should focus on the real and pressing threat of climate change.

Rising global temperatures are fueling more intense hurricanes, posing significant risks to coastal communities.