The majority of the West Coast’s most extreme storms have been linked to atmospheric rivers, a meteorological phenomenon in which large amounts of moisture are carried in narrow bands from over the Pacific Ocean to western North America. While weak atmospheric rivers are critical providers of winter rain and snow, stronger events can cause extreme flooding, mudslides, and avalanches – leading to potentially catastrophic damage to life and property.
Extreme winter storms, including those linked to atmospheric rivers, are expected to increase in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change. The goal of this project is to identify how these extreme events impact ecosystems and communities across the Southwest. To do this, researchers used a historical chronology of atmospheric river events that made landfall along the West Coast during 23 recent years, relating these events to how they have affected precipitation, vegetation, and wildfire characteristics across the Southwest.
The results of this study will provide critical information enabling resource managers to anticipate and prepare for the potential impacts of extreme precipitation events in the future. Given the projected increase in these storms, this study provides important insight into which actions should be prioritized to maintain ecosystems and communities in the face of changing conditions.
