Atmospheric River Portal. Access information, images, analyses, diagnostics of current conditions, forecasts, and projects related to atmospheric rivers (ARs). More on ARs...

The graphics below are designed to forecast the presence and strength of Atmospheric Rivers using data from the NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS), North American Mesoscale Forecast System (NAM), and Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) models.

The following shows the Automated Atmospheric River detection technique designed and run by NOAA/ESRL/PSL applied to SSMIS water vapor imagery. [ More Information and Archived Images]

Map showing the major pathways of moisture transport in ARs from the Pacific Ocean into the Intermountain West. For more information, visit: https://psl.noaa.gov/arportal/ https://psl.noaa.gov/aqpi/ https://psl.noaa.gov/data/obs/ https://hmt.noaa.gov. Contact: Mackenzie Solomon Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) are the regions of extratropical storms where high winds and water vapor are concentrated. These factors combine to produce heavy rainfall upon landfall, especially over mountainous terrain.

Map showing the major pathways of moisture transport in ARs from the Pacific Ocean into the Intermountain West. Extreme precipitation from several ARs contributed to a flood risk

Assets from this observational network leveraged by AQPI include: Atmospheric River Observatories, soil moisture, surface meteorology, wind profilers, and snow level radars.

An automated technique has been developed to objectively identify and characterize atmospheric river events in the fields of integrated water vapor (IWV) content and integrated water vapor transport (IVT).

Jun 12, 2018 · The 2006 flood event was driven by an atmospheric river, which had penetrated inland from the West Coast. Previous research has shown that climate change is projected to potentially alter a variety of atmospheric river characteristics and impacts.

Mailing Address. NOAA PSL 325 Broadway Boulder, CO 80305-3328 Connect with ESRL