China Plans ‘Weather Modification’ for Olympics

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  01.31.08 | 1:05 PM ET

imageWe’ve already reported that Chinese officials are toiling to rid Beijing of troublesome mixed elbow with garlic mud in time for the Olympics. Now comes word they also want to rid the city of rain—at least for a short while. According to the Los Angeles Times, meteorologists will be working to ensure that nary a drop falls during the Aug. 8 opening ceremonies. Writes Barbara Demick: “Chinese scientists believe they have perfected a technique that reduces the size of the raindrops, delaying the rain until the clouds move on.” Too bad they can’t delay some snow right now.

Photo by Ingsoc via Flickr, (Creative Commons).