Scientists Find Way to Spot Atmospheric Rivers

Scientists have come up with a new way to predict when atmospheric rivers will hit in real time through satellites, a study shows.

Before now, scientists have been able to detect atmospheric rivers by using data from numerical model simulations. But now, a new method will allow them to access wind data through satellites, which will let them automatically detect when an atmospheric river is coming. This method provides a much more accurate picture of these atmospheric rivers, which means experts will be able to predict extreme weather events in a way they could not before, according to a report on the study's findings.

Atmospheric rivers are corridors of concentrated, tropical moisture that travel through the atmosphere. They transport this moisture from the equator toward the North and South poles, and when they arrive, they cause a deluge of rainfall.

But predicting these weather events has always been a challenge. This is largely because of a lack of wind data and information, which is vital in tracking when atmospheric rivers develop.

The new method involves a 3D wind field, which is detailed in a study published in the journal Advancing Earth and Space Sciences.

The main way this new algorithm will predict these weather events is to combine moisture field data and wind information. Considering how well this new method works to detect atmospheric rivers, scientists are now realizing how previous methods had many shortfalls.

An analysis of existing atmospheric river data also found that "reanalyses overestimate the frequency of precipitation produced in ARs but underestimate its intensity."

"As the quality of satellite observations continues to improve, the methodology presented here can be applied to other satellite observations to develop higher resolution or higher frequency AR statistics," a summary of the study says.

The ability to predict these weather events is becoming more important, especially as they are becoming more frequent across the globe.

In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, found evidence that atmospheric rivers are set to increase in the U.S. and around the globe if climate change continues to worsen.

This has already been seen in parts of the U.S. California, for example, has been hit with a series of atmospheric rivers in recent weeks, which have caused severe rainfall and subsequent flooding.

Depending on the severity, atmospheric rivers can cause intense disruption to communities and sometimes even a danger to life. Predicting these weather events will ensure proper precautions can be taken.

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