How California Atmospheric River Will Impact Snowpack in Sierras

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An atmospheric river is set to descend on California in coming days, following a spate of wet weather across the state.

An atmospheric river is a corridor of concentrated, tropical moisture traveling through the atmosphere. The river has raised an alert for significant flooding throughout California, and experts have warned of severe disruption.

Snowpack in California is already at a record level due to the recent winter snow and rain. The state gets most of its water from the Sierra Nevada mountains. The mountains catch eastern-moving clouds before they reach Nevada. The mountain range accumulates snowpack throughout the winter months, which then feeds into the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs when it melts in the spring.

So how will this incoming atmospheric river change this?