Freezing your butt off in Beijing? Turns out the Beijing Weather Modification Office actually artificially induced this week’s snowstorm by seeding clouds with chemicals. Officials explain the early snow was an attempt to help northern China shake off its decade-long drought. Still, Beijing residents say they wished officials would warn them if they are planning to toy of the clouds–indeed, the snowstorm has caused frustrating problems like flight delays and horrible traffic.
This isn’t the first time China’s artificially modified the weather, by any means. For last year’s Olympic Games as well as for this year’s 60th National Day, Beijing’s meteorological department made sure that the forecast was clear and sunny.
