A study exploring atmospheric rivers, which are narrow regions in the lower atmosphere that transport water vapor, finds that those that make landfall along the US West Coast originate in three main clusters with diverse track shapes, landfall regions, and associated precipitation anomalies; improved understanding of the aforementioned features and climate drivers could enhance prediction of and preparation for such storms and their impacts, particularly for ensuring flood risk mitigation and water supply maintenance.
###
Article #17-17883: "Uncovering the role of the East Asian jet stream and heterogeneities in atmospheric rivers affecting the western United States," by Wei Zhang and Gabriele Villarini.
MEDIA CONTACT: Gabriele Villarini, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; tel: 319-631-2448; e-mail: < gabriele-villarini@uiowa.edu >
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences