The recent powerful atmospheric river storm system battering California with floods, evacuations, and widespread disruption has many wondering: Why are we suddenly hearing so much about these weather phenomena? While atmospheric rivers have always existed, their prominence in news coverage and scientific discussions has notably increased in recent years.
What Exactly is an Atmospheric River?
Atmospheric rivers are naturally occurring weather systems that transport massive amounts of water vapor through the atmosphere. Picture a river in the sky that's typically 300 miles wide, one mile deep, and stretches for 1,000 miles. These systems commonly appear along coastal regions where oceans meet land masses, particularly on western coasts in mid-latitude areas.
California typically experiences between 5 to 20 atmospheric rivers during winter seasons. The amount of water they transport can exceed the flow of major waterways like the Mississippi or Amazon Rivers.
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