As the planet warms, atmospheric rivers, those mighty storms that sweep across the West Coast, are undergoing transformative changes.

New research reveals that these storms will intensify differently in Southern California compared to the Pacific Northwest, bringing about varied regional impacts such as heightened flood risks and more intense storm surges.

Atmospheric Rivers and Climate Impact

Communities across the West Coast of the United States are likely to see significant changes in the powerful storms known as atmospheric rivers as the climate continues to warm. However, the effects will vary widely between regions. Southern California will experience one set of changes, while more northerly areas like Seattle will face a very different storm evolution.

Recent research led by scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) reveals that warming conditions will amplify ocean evaporation, leading to substantial changes in atmospheric rivers in Southern California. In contrast, atmospheric rivers farther north will be shaped more by increasing temperatures in both the atmosphere and the ocean.

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