Science News Hubb
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
Science News Hubb
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News

Satellites watch atmospheric river continue to drench California

admin by admin
January 6, 2023
in Science News


More rain is on its way to an already drenched California as forecasters observe two new “atmospheric rivers” form above the Pacific Ocean on their way to ship huge amounts of tropical moisture to the usually dry and sunny state.

After a superstorm dumped over 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain in some coastal regions of California on Wednesday and Thursday (Jan. 4 and 5.), triggering flash floods and causing widespread power outages, Californians have received only a brief respite. 

A new atmospheric river is expected to arrive Friday night, bringing more deluge to the coast and heavy snowfall to mountain regions. 

“The cumulative effect of heavy rain after recent heavy rains will lead to additional considerable flood impacts this weekend, including rapid water rises and mudslides over northern and central California,” the National Weather Service said in a tweet (opens in new tab) on Thursday, Jan. 5. “Flash flooding and debris flows are possible over burn scar areas [left by wildfires last summer].”

Related: Satellites watch Europe get hit by most severe winter heatwave ever

And that’s not all that the current stormy weather has in store for California. The NWS said another atmospheric river is expected to arrive on Monday (Jan. 9), bringing more rain and strong winds. 

This stormy January comes after above average rainfall in December, which saw over 11.6 inches (29 cm) of rain in San Francisco, according to the Washington Post (opens in new tab), which is more than twice the average amount for that part of the year. 

Most of the moisture causing the deluges is being channeled from Hawai’i by so-called atmospheric rivers, channels that form in Earth’s atmosphere and funnel water vapor from humid tropical regions to drier areas farther away from the equator. 

The type of atmospheric river ravaging California is sometimes referred to as the Pineapple Express in a nod to the fruit commonly grown in Hawai’i. 

A powerful storm formed above the Pacific Ocean seen battering the U.S. West Coast by a weather satellite in January 2023. (Image credit: CIRA)

According to NASA (opens in new tab), atmospheric rivers off California’s coast form regularly during winter months and usually deliver up to 50% of the region’s annual rain and snow. 

The current series of atmospheric rivers is, however, particularly treacherous due to their combination with a pronounced area of low pressure, which led to the formation of an extremely powerful storm meteorologists call a bomb cyclone, such as the one that battered the area on Wednesday.

Follow Tereza Pultarova on Twitter @TerezaPultarova. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. 





Source link

Previous Post

Will Global Emissions Plateau in 2023? Four Trends to Watch

Next Post

The ozone layer was destroyed during the Permian mass extinction event

Next Post

The ozone layer was destroyed during the Permian mass extinction event

Recommended

Epigenetic Manipulations Can Accelerate or Reverse Aging in Mice

January 14, 2023

A noisy flashing drone could stop bats crashing into wind turbines

December 14, 2022

Don't miss it

Science News

How a deadly fungus is so good at sticking to skin and other surfaces

September 29, 2023
Science News

Alan Turing mathematically predicted the colour of lizard scales

September 29, 2023
Science News

China launches yet another Yaogan spy satellite (video)

September 29, 2023
Technology

Supermassive Black Hole Feeding Frenzies May Explain Blinking Quasars

September 29, 2023
Technology

Are We Entering a New Era of Space Archeology?

September 29, 2023
Technology

Bio-Rad Launches PTC Tempo 48/48 and PTC Tempo 384 Thermal Cyclers

September 29, 2023

© Science News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

Newsletter Sign Up

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

© 2022 Science News Hubb All rights reserved.