Southern California recently faced severe weather conditions, with heavy rain and flash flooding attributed to a powerful atmospheric river. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties, including Los Angeles and Orange County.
Local authorities, such as LA and San Bernardino County, also declared emergencies in response to the extreme weather. Over 11 million people in California are at high risk of life-threatening flooding, with parts of Los Angeles expected to receive a substantial amount of rain. The atmospheric river caused over 900,000 power outages, leading to challenging conditions for residents.
The atmospheric river phenomenon involves wide-reaching plumes of moisture acting like firehoses, drawing warm, moist air from the tropics and resulting in heavy rainfall and snow over land. While these storms are common on the West Coast during winter, the recent event brought record-breaking rainfall and triggered road closures and water rescues.
Atmospheric rivers are crucial for western water supplies, filling reservoirs during hot summers, but excessive rainfall can elevate flood risks. The impact of these weather patterns extends beyond California, affecting regions in the eastern US and other parts of the world, such as Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
