In recent years, "atmospheric river" has become used much more frequently in scientific papers and in media coverage. According to experts who study climate and weather, a few reasons may explain why.

Atmospheric rivers are responsible for most flooding on the West Coast of the U.S., but they also bring much-needed moisture ...

Atmospheric river storms are long plumes of water vapor that can pour over from the Pacific Ocean into California. They carry so much water that they’re said to be like a river in the sky.

The peak of the atmospheric river storm in L.A. County will be between Tuesday night and last through Wednesday midday. A second storm is expected to hit L.A. County on Thursday into Friday, and ...

Atmospheric river storms are long plumes of water vapor that can pour over from the Pacific Ocean into California. They carry so much water that they're said to be like a river in the sky.

Vehicles travel toward downtown as rain continues to fall during a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm that impacted Southern California on February 6, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.

The 2021 storm also had an atmospheric river attached to it, which brought tropical downpours leading to power outages, landslides, and flooding to the San Francisco Bay Area and the highest ever ...

Atmospheric river storms have wreaked havoc on the West Coast, and are getting bigger. These scientists chase them in the sky to predict where they will strike. In January 2024, ...

Atmospheric River and Severe Storm Head for US. Published Nov 18, 2024 at 1:07 PM EST Updated Nov 20, 2024 at 12:50 PM EST. By . Tom Howarth is a Newsweek reporter based in Bristol, U.K.

Atmospheric river storms are long plumes of water vapor that can pour over from the Pacific Ocean into California. They carry so much water that they're said to be like a river in the sky.

An aerial view of the Los Angeles River swollen by runoff from a long-duration atmospheric river storm in February of 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images.