![]() Mark Fischetti has been a senior editor at Scientific American for 17 years and has covered sustainability issues, including climate, weather, environment, energy, food, water, biodiversity, population, and more. ![]() Some forecasters call an atmospheric river a pineapple express if it rolls in from the region of Hawaii. In 1861 one turned California’s Central Valley into an inland sea 300 miles long and 20 miles wide. and Canada-where they can carry vapor equivalent to 25 times the flow of the Mississippi River and can produce the biggest floods in a century. The heaviest atmospheric rivers strike the U.S. Strong winds sometimes push these series of connected rainstorms from midocean areas toward the western coasts of continents. Credit: NOAAĪ “river” of water vapor in the sky that can grow to 2,000 miles long, 500 miles wide and two miles deep. Atmospheric River/Pineapple Express A 2019 atmospheric river drenches California with heavy rain and mountain snow, triggering flash floods and mudslides. Check out these bizarre weather phenomena and their intriguing monikers. We’re accustomed to hearing about unusually strong hurricanes, tornadoes and even the polar vortex, but atmospheric events can get a lot weirder-as can the names we give them. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.Extreme weather is increasingly in the news these days. Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. Yet, it could still bring enough snow to cause difficult travel conditions. The next time you hear your meteorologist mention the possibility of an Alberta Clipper, know that a historic snow event is unlikely. In its wake, colder air can rush in from behind, increasing the chances for lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes. Often times Alberta Clippers don't only bring a widespread snow event. Such factors include how fast a storm is going and if there are any additional moisture sources at play, including interaction with the ocean and the potential for coastal low development. There are multiple factors that could allow clippers to over-perform their climatological norms. Since these are fast movers, snow will impact an area only for a day or less. In general, snow totals from clippers usually range between 1 to 3 inches for most, but in higher elevations, 3 to 6 inches of snow may be possible due to orographic lift. Although they can still bring impacts, including hazardous travel conditions. As a result, they typically generate less snow compared to other types of systems, such as nor'easters. They first move over the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes before eventually diving southward into the Northeast.īecause Alberta Clippers pass mainly over land, there's not a lot of moisture associated with these storms. ![]() These storms develop over Alberta, hence the name "Alberta Clipper." From there, clipper systems usually follow a similar path as they head eastward. These fast-moving snow makers form on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies after an area of low pressure moves onshore into the province of British Columbia. Typically, clippers are fast movers and don't produce a lot of snowĬlipper systems are one of the most frequent widespread snow producers in the Upper Midwest and Northeast during the winter.They are most common in the months of December and January.Alberta Clippers originate in the Canadian province of Alberta.
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