atmospheric river
noun
plural atmospheric rivers
: a concentrated band of water vapor that flows through the atmosphere and that is a significant part of the global hydrologic cycle and an important source of regional precipitation
Environment Canada is working on a new system to rank atmospheric rivers, a type of weather system that damaged highways, flooded farms and homes, and left at least four people dead in southern B.C. earlier this week.—
Wendy Stueck
Wendy StueckAtmospheric rivers are relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere—like rivers in the sky—that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics. These columns of vapor move with the weather, carrying an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow.—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationIn a typical year, significant atmospheric river storms occur about 10 to 15 times in California. Ultimately, they account for up to 50% of the state's precipitation.—Paul Rogers
Paul RogersExamples of atmospheric river in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, the chance of a strong atmospheric river storm grows — as does the risk of mudslides in Los Angeles.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, the rescue occurred on the same day when the Bay Area was hit by an atmospheric river storm that resulted in heavy rains in the region.
—David Chiu, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Climate change played a role in both phenomena: Extreme atmospheric river events in California are becoming more common as global temperatures rise, since a warmer atmosphere traps more moisture.
—Nidhi Sharma, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
National Weather Service meteorologist Sara Purdue said the Sacramento area received roughly 2.5 inches of rain since an atmospheric river storm system arrived in the Valley on Friday, Jan. 31.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025
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Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, the rescue occurred on the same day when the Bay Area was hit by an atmospheric river storm that resulted in heavy rains in the region.
—David Chiu, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Climate change played a role in both phenomena: Extreme atmospheric river events in California are becoming more common as global temperatures rise, since a warmer atmosphere traps more moisture.
—Nidhi Sharma, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
National Weather Service meteorologist Sara Purdue said the Sacramento area received roughly 2.5 inches of rain since an atmospheric river storm system arrived in the Valley on Friday, Jan. 31.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for atmospheric river
Dictionary Entries Near atmospheric river
Cite this Entry
“Atmospheric river.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atmospheric%20river. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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