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What is an atmospheric river? How does it differ from a standard storm system?

Brandi D. Addison

On the West Coast, atmospheric rivers approach from the Pacific Ocean , carrying tremendous amounts of water. They occur most frequently during specific weather patterns, including El Niño, which can increase their frequency or intensity; however, they can also occur in other years.

These long, narrow corridors of air have been responsible for as much as 65% of the West’s extreme rain and snow events, USA TODAY formerly reported .

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , an atmospheric river — described as a “river in the sky” — transports water vapor outside of the tropics. While they vary in size and strength, the average

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