atmospheric river

[ at-muhs-fer-ik riv-er, -feer- ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. a long, narrow corridor in the atmosphere that transports massive amounts of concentrated water vapor from the tropics: often responsible for extratropical cyclones and other extreme weather events, but also for commonly weaker systems of rain that replenish water supplies. : AR Compare cloud band ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of atmospheric river¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Similar atmospheric river events - when small regions of moisture travel outside tropical regions - have occurred throughout North America over the last few weeks.

From BBC

But the conditions of an atmospheric river combined with a bomb cyclone can create a major weather event.

From BBC

The strongest atmospheric river to hit California in months is expected to dump rain and snow across the northern half of the state this week — also bringing high winds and possible flooding — before eventually making its way south, forecasters say.

From Los Angeles Times

Atmospheric river storms that sweep in from the Pacific are “really hard to predict, and they can — if you get several of them in one winter — act as a spoiler for your El Niño-, La Niña-based forecast,” Becker said.

From Los Angeles Times

The 6.8-mile segment — beginning just south of the Esalen Institute and ending just north of Lucia — remains closed around the remnants of Regent’s slide, which on Feb. 9 sent an estimated 300,000 cubic yards of dirt, rock and other debris over the roadway during one of the year’s intense atmospheric river storms.

From Los Angeles Times