Recent years have seen an increase in extreme weather events around the world, leading to a rise in the use of the meteorology term “atmospheric rivers” in everyday conversations. These atmospheric rivers, long and narrow bands of water vapor that bring heavy rain and wind, have been growing in size, frequency, and intensity over the past 45 years due to global warming, according to a new study published in the Journal of Climate.
Scientists have long anticipated that as the Earth warms from the effects of burning fossil fuels, the atmosphere will hold more moisture, resulting in larger and more destructive atmospheric rivers in the future. The study’s lead author, Lexi Henny, noted that while the current changes are relatively modest, they align with expectations for a warmer climate.
While atmospheric rivers can provide much-needed rainfall in drought-affected areas, they can also pose significant risks when they become intense and prolonged. Notably, a series of atmospheric rivers in California over a year ago triggered numerous mudslides and fatalities. These events are not limited to California, occurring across the United States and worldwide.
The study offers valuable insights and data that will aid researchers in understanding and predicting the impact of intense rainfall and snowfall events in the future. Christine Shields, a water scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, praised the paper for its contributions in this area.
