Atmospheric Rivers

• The state of California in USA has been battered by incessant rains caused by the atmospheric river storms.

 ABOUT ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS

• Atmospheric Rivers indicate long narrow, elongated corridors of concentrated moisture transport associated with extratropical cyclones.
• These are largest transport mechanisms of freshwater on Earth.
• Strong landfall results in huge amounts of precipitation in short periods of time leading to flooding and mudslides.
• The term “Pineapple Express” is sometimes used to refer to atmospheric rivers that originate near Hawaii and travel eastwards towards the west coast of North America.
• Characteristics of Atmospheric Rivers
  • Typically formed in the tropics or subtropics where warm ocean surfaces evaporate water into the air.
  • Develop within the low-level jet stream, a fast-flowing, narrow air current.
  • The structure of an AR is like a narrow ribbon or corridor of moisture, often extending from the equator to higher latitudes.
  • Can transport vast amounts of water vapor