<h5>What’s the situation in California?</h5><p>California, USA, saw extensive rainfall in February 2024 and the first week of March. The heavy rainfall caused floods, which affected the people and caused damage. Surprisingly, the state is known for its long droughts. So, why did this much rainfall occur in the state?</p><p>Apparently, atmospheric rivers frequently cause California's heaviest rain, snow, and flooding. Now, we have seen rivers flowing through various places, but what are atmospheric rivers? Let’s find out.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/california-floods-caused-by-atmospheric-river%2FDamage.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=a19e5927-c532-49c0-8d8b-81dc59814bf4"><figcaption>Damage due to rains in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Los Angeles Daily News.</figcaption></figure><h5>What are atmospheric rivers?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <iframe width="100%" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/siDriTZ3Nyw" title="What is an atmospheric river?" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><figcaption>A video on atmospheric rivers. Video by Environment and Climate Change Canada.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Atmospheric rivers are thin, concentrated streams of water vapour in the atmosphere. They form over warm oceans and carry moisture from the Earth’s tropics near the equator to the poles. When the vapour reaches land, it condenses, producing rain and snow.</p><p>As the Sun warms the ocean, water evaporates into the air, creating atmospheric rivers. Now, these atmospheric rivers carry the water vapour from the ocean to the land, where it cools down to bring rain and snow.</p><p>Atmospheric rivers can generally be of different shapes and sizes. But, the big ones containing the highest water vapour concentrations can cause heavy rainfall and floods. One of the most powerful atmospheric rivers originates in the Pacific Ocean and flows into California.</p><p>It provides about half of California's rain and snow, which is critical for the state's water supply. Atmospheric rivers play an essential role on our planet.</p><h5>What role do atmospheric rivers play?</h5><p>Atmospheric rivers frequently bring beneficial rain or snow, which is critical to the global water cycle. Atmospheric rivers help replenish reservoirs and snow in the mountains. Atmospheric rivers account for more than half of rainfall in coastal regions in North America, France, Spain, South America, Southeast Asia, etc. They are vital for agriculture and the survival of plant and animal life.</p><p>At times, however, atmospheric rivers can cause severe floods, which can be quite damaging. This happens when climate change affects the timing and distribution of atmospheric rivers. As global temperature rises, the moisture content in the air increases, leading to a rise in atmospheric rivers.</p><p>These shifts may cause problems in areas that are not used to severe rain. Heavy rains can flood houses and roads, causing various problems. So, we must all try to lessen the effects of climate change so that our planet stays healthy for years.</p>

These rivers in the sky play an important role in the global water cycle - but what exactly are they?

California Floods Caused By Atmospheric River

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California Floods Caused By Atmospheric River

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