What is an atmospheric river? Major storms and flooding in California
California has been hit by severe storms already this year.. but more are on the way... What residents should know about atmospheric rivers.
California residents are being warned to brace themselves for a series of heavy rains, strong winds, and snowfalls in the coming days. Although the state has not experienced many atmospheric rivers this winter, this is about to change. While not all of these weather events are necessarily harmful, they play a crucial role in the global water cycle. However, when they bring excessive moisture to soil that is either too dry or too saturated to absorb the water, it can lead to flooding. So, what exactly is an atmospheric river?
What is an atmospheric river?
As the name implies, this phenomenon is a type of atmospheric river made up of water vapor. Its volume can be equivalent to 25 times the flow of the Mississippi River where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. These rivers are formed over the ocean and can extend for up to 2,000 miles, be 500 miles wide, and two miles deep. They are propelled by strong, low-altitude winds that can reach hurricane speeds. They function like a treadmill by bringing in a series of storms one after another.
Extremely powerful weather events can affect not only coastal areas but also regions deep inland. In June 2022, monster storms caused significant damage to Yellowstone National Park, which was the result of an intense example of this weather phenomenon.
Atmospheric rivers occur globally, usually in extratropical regions in Europe, Africa, New Zealand, and South America. These events typically happen during their respective winter seasons. The ones that affect the western coast of North America are known as the “Pineapple Express” due to their origin near the Hawaii Islands, known for their sweet fruit. This most recent storm warning comes after the state was rocked by another atmospheric river earlier this month.