Cloud Seeding is the science of using particulate matter to induce water droplet formation in the atmosphere. ie, make it rain. solid fuel rockets spewing metal salt smoke have been used by the US and China with mixed success in weather modification. Smoke particles seed water droplet formation quite well due to their perfect size to stay airborne. Now smoke from the west coast fires has drifted west (contrary to normal pacific wind patterns) out to the cyclonic anomaly. we will see if this is a major rain event setup that would be welcome to put the fires out? or how about a west coast hurricane to stay with the 2020 apocalyptic theme?

here’s a higher contrast view of the smoke