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Hail Cannon

Paradox74

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http://www.theblaze.com/stories/can-a-hail-cannon-control-the-weather/

From the above article:

That’s how the neighbor of a farmer in Vermont once described a “hail cannon.” The curious looking rocket-like cylinder is a “gun,” pointed straight up in the air, that fires 200 mph shockwaves. It’s used by farmers to protect crops from hail. But while some farmers swear by them (they say the cannons break up the hail before it hits the ground), there are scientists who say there is no proof they work.


Is this even possible or effective? What is your take on this?
 
We use sound to break up mineral deposits within human bodies, so I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work in theory--that said, I doubt the concentration is enough to actually affect anything (the inverse-square law is a harsh mistress), and you'd have to have these things going constantly during a hail storm to make them effective anyway.

As an aside, I now have an uncontrolable urge to listen to that band. I hope you're happy. :P
 
From the wikipedia article on hail cannons "Most manufacturers do not touch on the fact that the action of thunder itself would be the equivalent of thousands of such devices yet has no effect on hail."

So I am willing to put myself on the side of doubting this works.

I would expect more than anecdotes if this actually did anything, I want video showing hail falling, but not near the cannon. Seems like it should be pretty easy to have actual evidence of the effectiveness of these things, if they actually do anything.
 
You'd think storm chasers would have something similar if they worked as well. I mean, supercells are known for producing hail, and storm chasers are looking for supercells.
 
Ha ha - thanks for the link Paradox74.

Smells like BS alright. I see no reason why it wouldnt work directly above it, but as Dinwar correctly points out, the inverse square law certainly is a harsh mistress.

Would keep the birds away a treat though! And one going off by surprise would be a sure fire cure for constipation also, I'd imagine...

The best part of the link imo was the comments - present were the HAARP crew, Team Tesla, ChemTrail Conspirators, and something called the "large holdron collider".
If the guy can make and market em for 50k, good on him I reckon.

Seriously..
Possible? At short distances, for sure.
Effective? At short distances, for sure.
Efficient? No.

I'd sum it up by posting a link to "xkcd - the economic argument", but prob cant post links yet.
 
Let's see now. Play classical music to encourage plant growth, fire off a cannon to prevent hail. Combine them and you've got the 1812 Overture. Who'd a thunk it?
 
There's never been hail anytime I've heard the 1812 Overture, so it must be true.
 
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