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What's an atmospheric river? AP explains the weather phenomenon
National

What's an atmospheric river? AP explains the weather phenomenon

  • The Associated Press

Atmospheric rivers are long and relatively narrow bands of water vapor that form over an ocean and flow through the sky. They carry moisture from the tropics to northern and southern latitudes, and can dump heavy rains or snow over land. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, they occur globally but are especially significant on the West Coast of the United States, where they create 30% to 50% of annual precipitation and are vital to water supplies but also can cause storms that produce flooding and mudslides.

‘Pineapple express’
Local News
Featured

‘Pineapple express’

  • By Zachary Clark Daily Journal staff
  • Updated

A storm traveling from Hawaii known as a “pineapple express” arrived in the Bay Area yesterday, bringing three days of light rain projected to…