Funding Research of Atmospheric Rivers to Better Prepare for Heavy Rains

Atmospheric river seems like a phrase that has only recently entered the parlance of the times, but the state of California has seen enough of the idea in action want to know more, and prepare for more.

1 minute read

July 12, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Extreme Weather

GOES satellite image of the atmospheric river phenomena from March 20, 2018 / NOAA via the San Diego County Water Authority

"A better understanding and forecasting of atmospheric rivers could improve flood control and water management in California," according to an article published on the Water News Network of the San Diego County Water Authority.

"The 2019-20 California state budget includes $9.25 million to pay for research into how the state Department of Water Resources can more accurately track the intensity and landfall locations of atmospheric rivers," adds the article.

It was a relatively rainy year in California, thanks in part to recurrent episodes of atmospheric rivers. "About half of the state’s annual rainfall and 90 percent of its flooding come from such events," according to the article.

Thursday, July 11, 2019 in Water News Network

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