Video: California faces potential 8 trillion gallons of rain from atmospheric river

Atmospheric rivers, the meteorological phenomena often likened to ribbons of moisture in the sky, have a profound impact on California's weather patterns.

These systems transport water vapour from the tropics, with some, like the Pineapple Express, originating near Hawaii and delivering significant rainfall and snow to the state. On average, California experiences seven to ten strong atmospheric river events annually, which are crucial for the state's water supply, contributing to 25-50% of its annual precipitation.

However, recent reports indicate that climate change is intensifying these atmospheric rivers, making them warmer and wetter, leading to more extreme precipitation and heightened flood risks.

Just three hours ago, reports highlighted serious storm impacts in Southern California counties, emphasising the urgency of adapting to these increasingly severe weather patterns.