The Origin of a Battle Against the Sky
Hail is one of the most devastating weather threats to agriculture in Argentina, especially in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan, where viticulture and fruit growing are economic pillars. Since the early 20th century, producers and local governments have sought ways to mitigate the impact of hailstorms, giving rise to a story of innovation and persistence that is now a global reference.
Early Attempts: Gunpowder and Bells
Before scientific methods existed, farmers in Mendoza and San Juan relied on age-old practices. Firing gunpowder cannons into the sky, ringing bells, or even holding religious processions were the only tools available. Although lacking a technical basis, these attempts reflected the desperation to protect entire harvests that could be lost in minutes.
The Era of Hail Rockets (1950s-1970s)
The true technological leap came in the mid-20th century with the introduction of hail rockets. These devices, loaded with silver iodide, were launched from the ground to disperse the substance into clouds and reduce the size of ice crystals. Mendoza was a pioneer in South America by implementing organized launch systems, with bases strategically distributed across productive valleys.
However, rockets had limitations: their range was short, they did not always hit the cloud at the right moment, and they posed a risk to the population if they fell unexploded. Still, for two decades they were the main defense against hail.
The Revolution with Aircraft (1980s)
In the 1980s, both Mendoza and San Juan began using specially equipped aircraft for cloud seeding. Aircraft like the Piper PA-31 or the Cessna 340 flew over storms, injecting silver iodide directly into clouds with the greatest vertical development. This technique offered greater precision and coverage than ground-based rockets.
The Role of Provincial Governments
During these years, the governments of Mendoza and San Juan created specific agencies to manage hail suppression. In Mendoza, the Dirección de Agricultura y Contingencias Climáticas (DACC) took on a central role, while in San Juan the Instituto Provincial de Lucha Antigranizo was formed. Both entities coordinated flights, maintained equipment, and trained pilots specialized in storm meteorology.
Incorporation of Weather Radars (1990s)
A key milestone was the installation of weather radars, which allowed detecting storms with hail potential up to 30 minutes in advance. Mendoza acquired a Doppler radar in the 1990s, dramatically improving response capability. Pilots no longer flew blind; they received real-time data on the location and evolution of storm cells.
San Juan also incorporated radar technology, although with less initial coverage. Both provinces shared weather information to optimize resources, especially when storms moved from one province to another.
The Current System: Cutting-Edge Technology and Binational Cooperation
Today, hail suppression in Mendoza and San Juan is a model of integrated management. Aircraft with silver iodide flare burners are used, guided by state-of-the-art radars and numerical prediction models. Mendoza has its own fleet of aircraft, while San Juan contracts specialized private services.
Results and Challenges
According to official data, the system manages to reduce hail damage by 30% to 50% in protected areas. However, challenges persist: climate change increases the frequency and intensity of severe storms, and operating costs are high (millions of dollars per season). Furthermore, effectiveness depends on factors such as cloud temperature and aircraft availability at the critical moment.
Practical Tips for Producers
- Know the operations schedule: Stay informed about flight times and areas covered by the hail suppression system in your province.
- Complement with hail nets: For high-value crops (such as premium wine grapes or peaches), installing nets can be a profitable investment.
- Use agricultural insurance: Although hail suppression reduces risks, no system is infallible. Insurance with hail coverage is essential.
- Monitor real-time alerts: Apps like Contingencias allow you to receive notifications about storms in your area and plan protection actions.
Looking to the Future
The history of hail suppression in Mendoza and San Juan is an example of how technological innovation can mitigate the whims of nature. From rudimentary cannons to modern aircraft and radars, each advance has meant greater security for producers. The next step could be artificial intelligence to predict storms with greater accuracy, or the use of drones for cloud seeding at lower cost.
What is certain is that as long as hail remains a threat, the fight from the ground and the sky will continue. And in that battle, Mendoza and San Juan are leading the way.