atmospheric river

American  

[at-muhs-fer-ik riv-er, -feer-] / ˌæt məsˈfɛr ɪk ˈrɪv ər, -ˈfɪər- /

noun

Meteorology.

1. a long, narrow corridor in the atmosphere that transports massive amounts of concentrated water vapor from the tropics: often responsible for extratropical cyclones and other extreme weather events, but also for commonly weaker systems of rain that replenish water supplies. AR

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Etymology

Origin of atmospheric river

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

After a dry start to the winter, the region has been battered with atmospheric river storms since Christmas, with accumulations of up to six feet on nearby summits.

From Los Angeles Times

After several atmospheric river systems have come through, familiar conditions are set to return later this week.

From Los Angeles Times

California’s snowpack remains below average despite the powerful atmospheric river storms that pounded the West Coast around Christmas, state officials announced Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

In total, the storms are expected to drop 1 to 3 inches of rain in valley and coastal areas and 3 to 5 inches in the mountains — amounts that, while substantial, are less than what fell during the atmospheric river storms that caused flooding, debris flows and a tornado last week, Wofford said.

From Los Angeles Times

Heavy rain from an atmospheric river system caused flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas still scarred by wildfires.

From Salon