Abstract:The essence of weather modification (WM) lies in understanding and applying the principles of atmospheric physics and cloud microphysics to steer local weather processes toward desired outcomes through targeted intervention. Scientifically evaluating the effectiveness of WM operations and establishing objective assessment frameworks are crucial for optimizing intervention strategies. To provide both a theoretical foundation and practical guidance to support future research innovation in the field of WM benefit evaluation, this paper reviews the recent progresses in evaluating the benefits of WM in five key dimensions: hydrology, agriculture, ecology, environment and economy. Besides, current research challenges and limitations across multiple scales are analyzed and a paradigm shift from a “physical-effect-oriented” approach to one that is centered on “comprehensive value optimization” is proposed.