For things to add up, we need to understand what atmospheric rivers really are.
Think of them as airborne highways of moisture. They are essentially long, narrow bands in the sky that move immense volumes of water. A single one can carry as much vapor as 25 Mississippi Rivers, making them major drivers of extreme rainfall and snowfall when they make landfall. The most intense atmospheric rivers can dump heavy rain and overwhelm landscapes, especially when they linger over sensitive watersheds already at risk of flooding.
Atmospheric rivers play an important role in the West Coast’s water supply. They bring much of the region’s winter moisture, helping to build up snowpacks that serve as a key source of water for agriculture and communities through the dry season…