There were 84 days with atmospheric rivers last winter

Between January 20 and February 15, seven major storms in Portugal were fueled by atmospheric rivers, significantly increasing moisture transport. These storms, including Ingrid and Kristin, absorbed tropical moisture, leading to extreme weather conditions. The study highlights that current atmospheric river events could mirror future climate scenarios under severe global warming. The analysis revealed that 84 out of 151 days studied were influenced by these rivers, exacerbating flooding risks due to already saturated ground. The atmospheric rivers transported moisture primarily from the subtropical and tropical Atlantic, resulting in precipitation levels significantly above normal. Atmospheric rivers can carry vast amounts of water vapor, comparable to multiple times the flow of the Mississippi River, and can lead to intense rainfall if conditions are favorable.