What are atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones? Everything you need to know about these ‘rivers in the sky’

A major storm is spinning off the Pacific Northwest coast that will bring strong winds and channel an atmospheric river to northern California and southern Oregon. Meteorologists are warning that gusty winds may cause power outages and wind damage.

As well the atmospheric river will deliver a steady supply of moisture that will dump as much as 10 inches of rain causing flooding and mudslides. At higher elevations, that moisture will turn to snow with between one and two feet of snowfall forecast. The severe conditions are expected to continue through the week.

What are bomb cyclones?

‘Bomb cyclones’, or ‘bombogenesis’, is when a cyclone intensifies rapidly over a 24 hour periodofficially when the pressure drops 24 millibars over that period of time. They occur between the polar and tropical regions according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

What is an atmospheric river? Everything you need to know about these ‘rivers in the sky’

As the name implies, this phenomenon is a type of atmospheric river made up of water vapor. Its volume can be equivalent to 25 times the flow of the Mississippi River where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. These rivers are formed over the ocean and can extend for up to 2,000 miles, be 500 miles wide, and two miles deep. They are propelled by strong, low-altitude winds that can reach hurricane speeds. They function like a treadmill by bringing in a series of storms one after another.

Extremely powerful weather events can affect not only coastal areas but also regions deep inland. In June 2022, monster storms caused significant damage to Yellowstone National Parkwhich was the result of an intense example of this weather phenomenon.

Atmospheric rivers occur globally, usually in extratropical regions in Europe, Africa, New Zealand, and South America. These events typically happen during their respective winter seasons. The ones that affect the western coast of North America are known as the “Pineapple Express” due to their origin near the Hawaii Islands, known for their sweet fruit.

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