Storm hits California coast as PSL researchers kick off atmospheric river study

This past weekend, an intense storm caused by an atmospheric river (AR) hit the California coast bringing much-needed rain and snow to the northern part of the state. ESRL Physical Sciences Laboratory and Scripps Institute of Oceanography researchers kicking off a study on atmospheric rivers, released 52 dropsondes over the Pacific Ocean during two successful research flights on Friday and Saturday. More than five feet of snow fell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and as much as 12 inches of rain fell at lower elevations. The Russian River, north of San Francisco, went from a trickle to flowing more than 9,000 cubic feet per second within a 24 hour period. Forecasters anticipate another atmospheric river, focusing more on the Oregon and Washington coasts, will hit later this week.

For more information, see our recent story about the study.

Posted: February 10, 2014

PSL's Atmospheric River Forecast Detection Tool suggests more precipitation is on its way to the West Coast. (Left) integrated water vapor, (right) integrated water vapor transport. Red dot shows the latitude where core of AR makes landfall.
PSL's Atmospheric River Forecast Detection Tool suggests more precipitation is on its way to the West Coast. (Left) integrated water vapor, (right) integrated water vapor transport. Red dot shows the latitude where core of AR makes landfall.
PSL's Atmospheric River Forecast Detection Tool suggests more precipitation is on its way to the West Coast. (Left) integrated water vapor, (right) integrated water vapor transport. Red dot shows the latitude where core of AR makes landfall.
Russian River in Sonoma County responds to the heavy precipitation event. Measured streamflow at Healdsburg goes from a trickle to more than 9000 cfs. in 24 hrs. (Image courtesy: NOAA/CNRFC)
Russian River in Sonoma County responds to the heavy precipitation event. Measured streamflow at Healdsburg goes from a trickle to more than 9000 cfs. in 24 hrs. (Image courtesy: NOAA/CNRFC)
Russian River in Sonoma County responds to the heavy precipitation event. Measured streamflow at Healdsburg goes from a trickle to more than 9000 cfs. in 24 hrs. (Image courtesy: NOAA/CNRFC)
Flight path of NOAA Gulfstream IV research aircraft for this deployment
Flight path of NOAA Gulfstream IV research aircraft for this deployment
Flight path of NOAA Gulfstream IV research aircraft for this deployment
Animation of atmospheric river event, February 2014.
Animation of atmospheric river event, February 2014. (Credit: NOAA/ESRL/PSL)
Animation of atmospheric river event, February 2014. (Credit: NOAA/ESRL/PSL)
Related Links
Atmospheric River Information
AR Detection Tool
CalWater 2 Experiment
Hydrometeorology Testbed