California is currently facing a series of powerful storms driven by atmospheric rivers (ARs), raising concerns about flash flooding, landslides and strong winds.

Here’s a breakdown of the key facts surrounding these weather events.

What is an atmospheric river?

Atmospheric rivers, often called “rivers of the sky,” are long streams of moisture in the atmosphere that are 250-375 miles wide. Fueled by Pacific water vapor, they play a vital role in California’s precipitation. While they make a significant contribution to water supplies, they can also cause damaging floods and severe storms due to their large amounts of water. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“Pineapple Express” storm

The storm currently hitting California falls into the “Pineapple Express” category, originating around the Hawaiian Islands. These systems can bring heavy rainfall, with up to 5 inches of rain falling in a day, increasing the risk of flash flooding and other weather-related hazards.

“This system has the potential to bring heavy, or even locally heavy, rainfall to Northern California for 6 to 12 hours on Wednesday,” climate scientist Daniel Swain said Tuesday when discussing the coming storm. guardian. Swain warned that widespread flooding of roads and creeks was likely due to the expected heavy rainfall.

Why are people worried?

Continuous atmospheric river storms are a cause for concern due to their combined intensity and saturated soil conditions. Similar conditions last year resulted in historic rainfall, causing floods, landslides and casualties, The Guardian reported.

Even though there hasn’t been that much rain this winter, Ventura County and San Diego have seen significant flooding. Last year, Ventura faced flooding with rescues and submerged streets. In January, heavy rains in San Diego overwhelmed its old stormwater system, causing homes and businesses to flood.

Scientists warn that these devastating events are just the tip of the iceberg in the consequences of a climate crisis that has doubled California’s risk of catastrophic flooding, displaced millions and caused more than $1 trillion in damage. Scientist Daniel Swain warned that California still has a long way to go in preparing for such an event, but time is running out.

California’s climate is experiencing more extreme changes, with atmospheric rivers becoming more likely and potentially more severe as ocean temperatures rise. The climate crisis is amplifying risks as models show these weather events are increasing in intensity and frequency. study. Atmospheric rivers could pose challenges to California’s water supplies as temperatures rise, switching from snow to rain.