logo
New Study Highlights the Role of Atmospheric Rivers in Western Precipitation
news image
Special Stories
13 Aug 2019 10:29 PM
[NOAA]  A new paper published recently in Scientific Reports explains the dominant mechanism for projected intensification of extreme precipitation in California and Western North America as part of the changing precipitation regime of this region. Previous work has shown the decreasing frequency of precipitation in all Mediterranean climate regions as they become more subtropical and the increasing intensity of precipitation (especially in California). In this latest study, lead by Sasha Gershunov, with support from the California-Nevada Applications Program (CNAP) - a NOAA RISA program, the group identifies the dominant mechanism by which heavy precipitation becomes more extreme, atmospheric rivers. The results are not necessarily surprising as other studies have suggested intensification of atmospheric rivers, but the group has now explicitly linked this intensification of atmospheric rivers to changes in finely-resolved precipitation.

This more mechanistic understanding of the intensification of heavy precipitation will help scientists interpret ongoing changes and make plans to manage water resources and flood risk in a progressively more volatile future.

All Weather News
Severe Storm Threat Continues Sunday Across the Gulf Coast
Severe Storm Threat Continues Sunday Across the Gulf Coast
The same front that spawned the severe storms
26 Mar 2023 3:00 AM
Snow Chances Reach from the Rockies to the Plains
Snow Chances Reach from the Rockies to the Plains
Snow has been falling in the Denver metro and
26 Mar 2023 1:35 AM
Strong Storms Target the Midwest Sunday
Strong Storms Target the Midwest Sunday
With the jet stream focused over the Midwest,
26 Mar 2023 12:45 AM
Severe Storms & Record Heat in the Southeast Today
Severe Storms & Record Heat in the Southeast Today
A ridge of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexic
26 Mar 2023 12:25 AM
Heavy Snow for the Great Lakes and Northeast Tonight
Heavy Snow for the Great Lakes and Northeast Tonight
Another low-pressure system moving through th
25 Mar 2023 9:25 PM
Snowpack in California Creeping Closer to Top Spot - More Snow next Week
Snowpack in California Creeping Closer to Top Spot - More Snow next Week
CALIFORNIA - We have had a incredible snow se
25 Mar 2023 9:05 PM
Flooding Turns Fatal in Missouri
Flooding Turns Fatal in Missouri
Heavy rain brought on by torrential downpours
24 Mar 2023 8:20 PM