The Hurricane Amelioration Research Project is a proposed experiment to be directed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collaboratively with the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture and Hydrology. The primary goal of the experiment is to test the hypothesis that maximum surface winds in hurricanes can be reduced 10 to 15 percent or more by seeding the proper clouds in specified portions of the storms with freezing nuclei (silver iodide). SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute) prepared the bulk of this report during September 1977 under contract to NOAA. The report presents the results of an analysis of the environmental effects of performing the experiment in the eastern North Pacific off the west coast of Mexico. The analysis covers the environmental effects of dispensing silver iodide and of any resulting changes in the hurricanes; it does not cover environmental effects of the deployment and operation of project aircraft.

A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds that have reached a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relative calm centre known as the "eye." The "eye" is generally 20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may extend outward 400 miles. As a hurricane approaches, the skies will begin to darken and winds will grow in strength. As a hurricane nears land, it can bring torrential rains, high winds, and storm surges. A single hurricane can last for more than 2 weeks over open waters and can run a path across the entire length of the eastern seaboard. August and September are peak months during the hurricane season that lasts from 1 June to 30 November. This book presents the facts and history of hurricanes.