For years, scientists have said that atmospheric rivers can make or break the water supply of California’s thirsty cities and farms. Over the past two winters, a steady succession of these giant “rivers in the sky” has dumped record-breaking and drought-wrecking precipitation across the state, while simultaneously causing catastrophic flooding, landslides and dangerous snowstorms. But … Read more
A cyclone created by an atmospheric river will approach California in 2023.NOAA GOES-West Atmospheric rivers are rivers of water vapor low in the Earth’s atmosphere. They can cause heavy rain or snow in parts of the US, leading to flooding. Milder versions can relieve droughts, but stronger versions can be dangerous. In late January and … Read more
a series of atmospheric rivers brings the threat of heavy rains, flooding, mudslides and avalanches to the Pacific Northwest and California this week. While these storms are feared for the damage they can cause, they are also essential to the region’s water supply, especially in California, as Qian Cao, a hydrologist at the University of … Read more