This winter, California is optimistic about the potential for atmospheric rivers to provide much-needed moisture, possibly ensuring enough water supply for the dry summer ahead.
Last year, a series of atmospheric rivers caused significant flooding along the West Coast, but they also filled lakes and rivers, successfully alleviating California’s drought conditions. According to a recent AccuWeather report, meteorologists are predicting similar wet weather patterns this winter, with atmospheric rivers expected to affect northern, central, and southern regions of California.
Basically, atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands in the atmosphere that transport the majority of moisture outside the tropics, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Mario Tama/Getty
According to senior meteorologist Pastelok, the ongoing improvements in water supply are promising. “Despite a dry summer, we had enough water from the previous winters. If this winter brings the forecasted moisture, it will further sustain our water levels well into 2025,” he noted.
As of the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, only the northeastern and southeastern corners of California are facing significant drought issues; almost 2 percent of the state is experiencing severe drought, while 13 percent is under moderate drought conditions. However, a significant portion—over 75 percent—of the state is marked as “abnormally dry,” highlighting a serious shift from last year’s figures.
This summer brought unprecedented heat and dryness, worsening the drought situation compared to last year when only a small fraction of the state was classified as abnormally dry.
Looking ahead, northern California can expect increased rainfall in November and December. Then, in January, the atmospheric rivers are predicted to shift southward, impacting the central and southern regions before returning to the north to wrap up the season.
However, there’s a caveat: if Pacific water temperatures change significantly, Pastelok warns, California could face another dry winter like it did in 2013-14.