THE EFFICASITY OF HAIL SUPRESSION IN IASI COUNTY (ROMANIA) CASE STUDY 09 JULY 2015.

Studies to date have shown that in western and southern Iasi county hail events presents the highest incidence. In these areas are the most important vineyards of the county, some of them internationally renowned (Cotnari, Bucium Copou etc.). In the past five years, the damage caused by storms accompanied by hail in Iasi county exceed 10 million euros. Unit for Combating Hail Moldova 1 Iasi help reduce these losses in Cotnari vineyard region. Since 2014 this unit acts by 5 Local Launching Points and protects 30,000 hectares of farmland. In this paper is presented a study case that points out the hailstorm that took place on the 9th of July 2012, phenomenon which caused considerable damage to crops and setelments. In the unprotected area, the hailstone reached the size of almost 5 centimeters in diameter and caused damage to a significant area, affecting vineyards and vegetable farming. A detailed analysis of this phenomenon and the damages caused by it demonstrates that the intervention with the anti-hail rockets had an efficiency of over 70% in the protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]