Atmospheric rivers shift northward impacting US West Coast rainfall patterns

Atmospheric rivers are shifting northward, moving 6 to 10 degrees closer to the poles over the past 40 years. This change affects rainfall patterns globally, with regions like California potentially facing reduced water supply and increased drought risk. Higher-latitude areas, such as British Columbia and Alaska, are experiencing more frequent and intense atmospheric river events, leading to greater flood risks. Cooling trends in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are driving this shift, linked to La Niña conditions. The study highlights that while natural climate variations are the main cause, human-induced global warming may intensify the effects of atmospheric rivers in the future. Predicting their future patterns remains complex, influenced by ocean conditions.