atmospheric river
noun
plural atmospheric rivers
: a concentrated band of water vapor that flows through the atmosphere and that is a significant part of the global hydrologic cycle and an important source of regional precipitation
Environment Canada is working on a new system to rank atmospheric rivers, a type of weather system that damaged highways, flooded farms and homes, and left at least four people dead in southern B.C. earlier this week.—
Wendy Stueck
Wendy StueckAtmospheric rivers are relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere—like rivers in the sky—that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics. These columns of vapor move with the weather, carrying an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow.—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationIn a typical year, significant atmospheric river storms occur about 10 to 15 times in California. Ultimately, they account for up to 50% of the state's precipitation.—Paul Rogers
Paul RogersExamples of atmospheric river in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spinrad visited Southern California in late May and was taken aback by the number of people raising concern over the agency’s ability to continue predicting atmospheric river events, with all of their implications on public safety, reservoir operations and hydro power.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Ben Noll described this weekend atmospheric river scenario in the Washington Post.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
In 2023 and 2024, atmospheric river events delivered substantial rain and snow across the state.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Indianapolis experiences atmospheric river event Experts at Indiana University say the storm Wednesday was an atmospheric river event, akin to those associated with storms on the Pacific Coast.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Apr. 2025
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Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Ben Noll described this weekend atmospheric river scenario in the Washington Post.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
In 2023 and 2024, atmospheric river events delivered substantial rain and snow across the state.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Indianapolis experiences atmospheric river event Experts at Indiana University say the storm Wednesday was an atmospheric river event, akin to those associated with storms on the Pacific Coast.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atmospheric river
Cite this Entry
“Atmospheric river.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atmospheric%20river. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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