Spring Floods Threaten California as Epic Snow Melts

The Western US has experienced an unprecedented number of atmospheric rivers this year, with California seeing nine in a three-week period. The resulting snowpack is well above average, with some regions experiencing more than double the number of strong atmospheric rivers typically seen. The melting snow poses a significant flood risk, with Tulare Lake reemerging for the first time in decades. Climate change is likely to exacerbate the intensity of atmospheric rivers, making them more extreme and resulting in more flooding.