Atmospheric Rivers: Increased Intensity and Impact, Global Phenomenon

Atmospheric rivers, weather systems transporting vast amounts of water vapor, are a global phenomenon occurring between 30 and 60 degrees latitude. These 'rivers in the sky' can carry up to 15 times the volume of the Mississippi River. While most are weak and beneficial, providing needed precipitation, some cause significant damage through flooding and mudslides. In 2019, the "Pineapple Express" impacted California, and in 2021, British Columbia experienced a month's worth of rain in two days from an atmospheric river, resulting in severe floods and landslides. Scientific projections indicate that climate change will lead to fewer, but larger and more intense, atmospheric rivers, potentially exacerbating water management challenges.