Warm air and unusual weather patterns have combined to unleash an extraordinary amount of rain in Washington State recently. Meteorologists estimate that nearly 5 trillion gallons (or 19 trillion liters) of water have poured down over the past week, raising concerns about severe flooding.
Heavy rain continued into Wednesday, following earlier downpours. This led to the possibility of record-breaking floods, especially along the Skagit River, which flows into the Puget Sound, according to Washington State climatologist Guillaume Mauger.
Former NOAA chief scientist Ryan Maue noted that atmospheric rivers, like the one hitting Washington, are “continually reloading.” He suggested that up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain could fall in the area over a few weeks, which he described as extreme. “I wouldn’t want to live there. Not right now,” he added.
Typically, atmospheric rivers—long bands of water vapor—follow a path from the tropics to the northern latitudes. The Pacific Northwest sees many of these each year, but what we’re experiencing now is unusually intense.
A weather station at Mount Rainier recorded over 21 inches (53 centimeters) of rain since last Thursday. This rainfall is substantial, but not entirely unprecedented. Mauger pointed out that the moisture came from a region north of Hawaii, where ocean temperatures are warmer than usual.
Meteorologist Jeff Masters explained that warmer sea temperatures lead to more rain rather than snow during these storms. This recent downpour has roots far beyond the Pacific, stemming from unusual weather events across the globe, including significant flooding in Indonesia due to tropical cyclones. This pattern—known as the Madden Julian Oscillation—has been particularly strong this year, facilitating a continuous flow of moisture toward the Americas.
Research has shown that as our planet warms, atmospheric rivers are likely to become larger and wetter. A recent study found that since 1980, these storms have increased in frequency and intensity. Specifically, they are now more effective at soaking the land, with their reach expanding by 6% to 9%.
Moreover, Climate Central reports that ocean temperatures under these atmospheric rivers are now ten times more likely to be warmer due to climate change. Air temperatures in the Pacific Northwest are also significantly elevated, five times more likely linked to human activity.
As Washington grapples with this deluge, the impacts of climate change and shifting weather patterns are clearer than ever. The next few weeks will be crucial as meteorologists monitor these atmospheric rivers and their effects on the region.
For more detailed information on climate trends, you can visit Climate Central.
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General news, Weather, Waterways, Floods, Washington, Indonesia, Domestic News, OR State Wire, Asia Pacific, Local News for Apple, Oregon, WA State Wire, Matt Jeglum, Science, Julian Oscillation, U.S. news, Jeff Masters, Climate and environment, Ryan Maue, Guillaume Mauger, Climate, U.S. News
