An atmospheric river (AR) is a narrow corridor or filament of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere. Other names for this phenomenon are tropical plume, tropical connection, moisture plume, water vapor surge, and cloud band. [ 1 ][ 2 ]

Feb 5, 2019 · The AR Cat scale, which categorizes each atmospheric river event at a given location by the peak value of integrated water vapor transport (IVT) and the duration of minimal AR conditions (IVT...

Oct 18, 2024 · Atmospheric rivers are corridors of moisture aimed at one location for at least a 24 hour period. They are important weather features in the mid-latitudes that play a major role in distributing water across the planet.

Dec 13, 2021 · A scale that categorizes atmospheric river events based on the maximum instantaneous integrated water vapor transport (IVT) associated with a period of atmospheric river conditions (i.e., IVT ≥ 250 kg m –1 s –1) and the duration of those conditions at a point.

Mar 31, 2023 · Atmospheric rivers are a key feature in the global water cycle and are closely tied to both water supply and flood risks — particularly in the western United States.

Oct 1, 2021 · The scale, published Tuesday in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, ranks atmospheric rivers on five levels: Category 1: Weak—primarily beneficial Category 2: Moderate—mostly beneficial, but also somewhat hazardous Category 3: Strong—balance of beneficial and hazardous Category 4: Extreme—mostly hazardous, but also ...

The term atmospheric river is used to indicate narrow, elongated corridors of concentrated moisture transport associated with extratropical cyclones. Atmospheric rivers are the largest transport mechanisms of freshwater on Earth.

An atmospheric river is a large band of moisture in the atmosphere, usually thousands of miles/kilometers long and hundreds of miles/kilometers wide. Atmospheric rivers transport substantial quantities of water vapor, which later precipitates as rain or snow (image below).

Feb 5, 2019 · The scale, described today in the February 2019 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, assigns five categories to atmospheric rivers using as criteria the amount of water vapor they carry and their duration in a given location.

Mar 16, 2023 · Like hurricane categories, a scale for atmospheric river storm severity could help communities around the globe compare and prepare. Atmospheric rivers – vast airborne corridors of water vapor flowing from Earth’s tropics toward higher latitudes – can steer much-needed rain to parched lands.