Atmospheric Rivers

Atmospheric Rivers

News: Recently, the Atmospheric Rivers have brought massive rainfall to California (U.S.).

What are Atmospheric rivers?
• Atmospheric rivers are vast airborne currents of dense moisture carried aloft for hundreds of miles from the Ocean and funneled over land to fall as bouts of heavy rain and snow.

Formation of Atmospheric Rivers
• The atmospheric rivers commence with the evaporation of ocean water due to elevated temperatures.
• Robust winds facilitate the transport of water vapor through the atmosphere. Upon reaching land, atmospheric rivers prompt further rise of water vapor into the atmosphere, where it undergoes cooling and condensation into water droplets, ultimately resulting in precipitation.

What are its impact on people, climate?
• They transport huge amounts of water vapor from one place to another which is essential for the transfer of heat and equalizing heat across various latitudes.
• They are being amplified by global warming as they are predicted to grow longer, wetter and wider in a warming climate.
• In dry conditions, atmospheric rivers can replenish water supplies and quench dangerous wildfires.
• While in wet conditions, they can cause damaging floods and debris flow, wreaking havoc on local economies.
• Visibility is also diminished as these rivers increase haze-fog conditions which harm agriculture and transport.

Concerns
• Strong atmospheric river events can lead to severe flooding and landslides. They can cause billions of dollars of damage.
• Excessive rain promotes growth of grasses and bushes that will become fuel for future fires